How to change gravel?

[BigAds]

Unfortunately, the blue gravel we have in our cycled 10g guppy tank is losing it's blue color. I don't want to think of the fish ingesting water that's in any way tainted from the color coming off the gravel, whether it's a real reason for concern or not, so I'm planning on changing all of the gravel to something more reliable (and green, for my daughter). Needless to say, I won't be buying the bulk gravel from my lfs again, but what do I need to do to change the gravel without stirring up too much gunk and stressing my fish or causing too much of a cycle?

Partial changes over a number of days? A full change to just get it all done? Leave the fish in or move them into our 36 gallon while changing the gravel? I've got a couple clean buckets, a regular gravel vacuum, a python, plenty of Prime, the API master test kit, and both tanks are fully cycled... so I think I've got everything I need except for the gravel and the know how.

 

[NeonFlux]

Unfortunately, the blue gravel we have in our cycled 10g guppy tank is losing it's blue color. I don't want to think of the fish ingesting water that's in any way tainted from the color coming off the gravel, whether it's a real reason for concern or not, so I'm planning on changing all of the gravel to something more reliable (and green, for my daughter). Needless to say, I won't be buying the bulk gravel from my lfs again, but what do I need to do to change the gravel without stirring up too much gunk and stressing my fish or causing too much of a cycle?

Partial changes over a number of days? A full change to just get it all done? Leave the fish in or move them into our 36 gallon while changing the gravel? I've got a couple clean buckets, a regular gravel vacuum, a python, plenty of Prime, the API master test kit, and both tanks are fully cycled... so I think I've got everything I need except for the gravel and the know how.

I would recommend getting water siphons that are 1 inch wide. It can be used to siphon all the gravel easily. Just be careful because the water will come fast once you get more gravel in the bucket. Once you are done, rinse the new green gravel and pour it in. And I would worry too much about the cycle, but just be sure(important) you add bio-spira to replace the nitrifying bacteria after removing the gravel. Good luck.

 

[Rbishop]

I would change all at once. Small tank, move fish to a bucket with some of the tank water, float your filter media in it and go to town.

 

[Radar]

When I changed the gravel in my 29 gal I did just what rb said above.Simple and easy.

 

[Lady G]

When I've changed my substrate in tanks I have always just moved the fish to a rubbermaid tub, added a filter on the side...then took all the water out of the tank. Removed the subs. I was changeing adding the new, replace all decor....fill the tank, add Prime, then filter and fish. I usually add some of the old sub in a hose and put in the tank for a few days too.