I have a 10G tank with 5-10mm sized gravel (about 3 lbs), whisper 10 filter, 2 ghost shrimps, 3 neon, 2 white cloud mountain minnow, 1 bunch of anacharis, 4 plastic plants, 15W light, and an aerator.
The tank has been set up for 10 days, and I am doing 20% water change every other day. Ammonia went up to between .5 and 3 ppm yesterday, had a second neon casualty, and nitrite is still negligible.
We wanted a planted tank, so when we got the tank and stuffs from our friend, went to the LFS, and were told that any gravel will do, so that 'any' gravel is what we have. Should've studied a little more before we did that.
We want an aquarium with nice grass cover and a couple of impressions here and there, but not really a overwhelming background. I don't want my tank to look too tight.
I read that for plants some better substrate would be necessary, so I ended up buying 15lbs of flourite. I plan to make a DIY CO2, and I also ordered a penguin biowheel 125 online, so I expect to get it in a few days. I haven't decided on AH stuff for the lighting yet.
My question is, what's the best plan to change the substrate in my tank?
My first plan is as follows.
1. Once I get the biowheel, keep it running until the tank completely cycle
2. Take the fish and the existing gravel and water out
3. rinse the flourite and mix it with the existing gravel (since I have a mature biowheel, I won't have to worry about hurting the bacteria in the gravel)
4. Fill half tank and plant and decor whatever I got
5. Fill tank and put back fish
6. Buy more plants
My second plan is
1. return flourite and forget about it.
Hmmm, any suggestions?
The tank has been set up for 10 days, and I am doing 20% water change every other day. Ammonia went up to between .5 and 3 ppm yesterday, had a second neon casualty, and nitrite is still negligible.
We wanted a planted tank, so when we got the tank and stuffs from our friend, went to the LFS, and were told that any gravel will do, so that 'any' gravel is what we have. Should've studied a little more before we did that.
We want an aquarium with nice grass cover and a couple of impressions here and there, but not really a overwhelming background. I don't want my tank to look too tight.
I read that for plants some better substrate would be necessary, so I ended up buying 15lbs of flourite. I plan to make a DIY CO2, and I also ordered a penguin biowheel 125 online, so I expect to get it in a few days. I haven't decided on AH stuff for the lighting yet.
My question is, what's the best plan to change the substrate in my tank?
My first plan is as follows.
1. Once I get the biowheel, keep it running until the tank completely cycle
2. Take the fish and the existing gravel and water out
3. rinse the flourite and mix it with the existing gravel (since I have a mature biowheel, I won't have to worry about hurting the bacteria in the gravel)
4. Fill half tank and plant and decor whatever I got
5. Fill tank and put back fish
6. Buy more plants
My second plan is
1. return flourite and forget about it.
Hmmm, any suggestions?