Putting laterite into an established tank

[HeathB]

Does anyone have any advice for taking out the gravel, plants, and fish, to put in some laterite and then put everything back in, or is this a bad idea? I'd really like to give my rooted plants something a little better than just the gravel I have, but not if its going to mess anything up too badly.

 

[HeathB]

Today is my pwc day for tanks if that helps any.

 

[cabezon]

you could if you have buckets.

I just dumped sixty pounds of fluorite over my sand then did a water change. I could hear the fish coughing on the dust, but they are OK. All my plants came out, And I did some aquascaping for a change. I am real happy. It would have been easier to do with a completly empty tank though.

edit: mine was used, so it wasn't as dusty as new.

 

[HeathB]

you could if you have buckets.

I just dumped sixty pounds of fluorite over my sand then did a water change. I could hear the fish coughing on the dust, but they are OK. All my plants came out, And I did some aquascaping for a change. I am real happy. It would have been easier to do with a completly empty tank though.

edit: mine was used, so it wasn't as dusty as new.

Yeah, I'm having fun dusting this stuff right now. Its like putting mud in a bucket and wondering why the water isn't getting any clearer, haha.

 

[Purrbox]

It would be much easier to add fert tabs instead of the laterite. If the laterite gets exposed to the water column you're in for a major algae bloom.

 

[HeathB]

It would be much easier to add fert tabs instead of the laterite. If the laterite gets exposed to the water column you're in for a major algae bloom.

I guess I'm in for a major algae bloom then. XD

At the very least, when I finally got it in and under the gravel it didn't cloud my water at all (maybe cause I spent about 2 hours rinsing it).

 

[Purrbox]

Laterite generally isn't rinsed. Are you actually talking about Flourite?

 

[HeathB]

Laterite generally isn't rinsed. Are you actually talking about Flourite?

Nope. It was that First Layer Laterite stuff that comes in a box from API. It said on the back to give it a good rinse. Maybe I rinsed too much. But life is an experiment!

 

[Purrbox]

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

 

[HeathB]

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

The color the rinsed water turned would have put biblical rivers of blood to shame.