Total Substrate Change

[Ryan45]

Wow, night and day there. You've an absolutely beautiful tank now. Congrats and I am glad all the changing over went well for you. What method did you finally end up with and what did you learn that we could use in the future?

Thanks... Well What I did was plan way ahead. Instead of just using my 2026 as a filter I also used a whisper 30 for about 3 weeks before to build up extra good bacteria. Then the day I was going to do it When Draining my tank I used an extra 20G tank filled it with my old tank water, a heater, and a bubbler. I then took out all of the fish and put them in the 20G. Took the plants out and floated them in a 5G bucket along with the Filter bag from the whisper to keep the bacteria alive. (I also left my 2026 full of water) While I was draining the water and old Subtrate from the tank my GF was busy washing the flourite (alot of washing). Once the tank was clean I wiped it all down and then added the flourite until I got about 2 1/2 inches (5 bags). Then I put an dinner plate down while pouring the water so it didn't disturb the Flourite. After all of the water was in there the water was very dark and dirty. I had both filters running and also added my plants. I let it run over night and the next day I woke up and the water was clear. I put the fish back in and everything has turned out great!! (knock on wood)

 

[Harlock]

Thanks... Well What I did was plan way ahead. Instead of just using my 2026 as a filter I also used a whisper 30 for about 3 weeks before to build up extra good bacteria. Then the day I was going to do it When Draining my tank I used an extra 20G tank filled it with my old tank water, a heater, and a bubbler. I then took out all of the fish and put them in the 20G. Took the plants out and floated them in a 5G bucket along with the Filter bag from the whisper to keep the bacteria alive. (I also left my 2026 full of water) While I was draining the water and old Subtrate from the tank my GF was busy washing the flourite (alot of washing). Once the tank was clean I wiped it all down and then added the flourite until I got about 2 1/2 inches (5 bags). Then I put an dinner plate down while pouring the water so it didn't disturb the Flourite. After all of the water was in there the water was very dark and dirty. I had both filters running and also added my plants. I let it run over night and the next day I woke up and the water was clear. I put the fish back in and everything has turned out great!! (knock on wood)

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I am considering Flourite when I move into a larger tank in a couple of years. This has helped me!