Substrate?

[smileyface9]

I know this'll be good for plants..but i already have fish. So would it sink already to the bottom? How would i put it in without bothering them? And it says it won't increase the ph, but will it decrease it?

 

[hcourts]

That is what I use but as for putting in an existing tank I'm not sure but for the ph it hasn't affected mine. It runs around 7.2 consistently.

 

[Nomadu571]

I've done it in picture form;

 

[smileyface9]

I've done it in picture form;

Awesome thanks, but would it be okay to put it in with fish already in there? Maybe if I carefully put it in slowly so i don't get them with dirt? I can't fully drain the tank cuz i'd have no where to put my fish.

 

[jetajockey]

You can put the fish in a bucket while you change the substrate. You could add it with them still in there but it will be mega cloudy and mucky in there, not the best thing for fish to be breathing in. A 5 gallon bucket should be enough for the short time it takes to do a substrate swap.

 

[smileyface9]

You can put the fish in a bucket while you change the substrate. You could add it with them still in there but it will be mega cloudy and mucky in there, not the best thing for fish to be breathing in. A 5 gallon bucket should be enough for the short time it takes to do a substrate swap.

Awesome thanks. And it would be okay for fish that're in 82 degree water to put them in a bucket?

 

[hcourts]

You could put them in with water from the tank. It only took mine Eco about an hour or two to settle once I filled it up and stuff. Just do it on a warm day or u could put ur heater in the bucket??

 

[smileyface9]

You could put them in with water from the tank. It only took mine Eco about an hour or two to settle once I filled it up and stuff. Just do it on a warm day or u could put ur heater in the bucket??

That's a really good idea!! C: thank you so much! I think i'll do that! My room gets super hot when it's sunny out so i'll do that. And i'll buy more buckets from dollar tree or something cuz i only have one bucket and i don't want to drive my fish crazy having them all in the same bucket. Oh and should i turn off my filter during this process??

 

[hcourts]

I didn't start my filter back up till I had everything arranged and filled back up

 

[smileyface9]

I didn't start my filter back up till I had everything arranged and filled back up

Thanks. I can't wait until i can get it running!

 

[smileyface9]

Oh and another question that just came to mind...do i need the gravel on top? Or would the eco-complete substrate just float to the top if i didn't?

 

[Nomadu571]

Oh and another question that just came to mind...do i need the gravel on top? Or would the eco-complete substrate just float to the top if i didn't?

You can just use Eco complete, I used gravel ontop purely for colour.

 

[smileyface9]

You can just use Eco complete, I used gravel ontop purely for colour.

Thanks I'm so excited! XD as soon as I have money ...which should be soon.. I'm going to order it and get my plants! Anyone want me to keep them posted on the process?

 

[hcourts]

I used a small bag just to add color and decoration purposes I want to see it when it's done

 

[hcourts]

Also petco is having a sale.. Might want to check them. That's where I got mine and I was a pretty good deal!!

 

[smileyface9]

Also petco is having a sale.. Might want to check them. That's where I got mine and I was a pretty good deal!!

Awesome!! Thanks! i didn't know they had eco complete.

 

[smileyface9]

I decided on getting first layer laterite, then red flourite, and then gravel. Will the flourite need alot of gravel to keep it down? I also bought a 24" 10,000 K full daylight spectrum lightbulb that was on sale at drfostersmith.com

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Flourite doesn't need gravel to keep it down at all. Just be sure to rinse it well and you're good.

 

[smileyface9]

Flourite doesn't need gravel to keep it down at all. Just be sure to rinse it well and you're good.

Thanks