Adding Extra Gravel to Tank

[An t-iasg]

I have two 5.5 gallon betta tanks. I added about 3 cups of extra gravel to each tank. The gravel is Estes Ultra Stone (what's in the tank already). In the next few months, I may want to start another tank, and then I can take the extra gravel out of each tank and add it to the new tank. Even if I use a different gravel in the new tank, I can still use the extra gravel in pantyhose or a mesh bag. I realize that the betta tanks probably don't have tons of good bacteria -- not like a community tank -- but any little bit helps a new tank!

My question is, would this be harmful to the betta tanks? I may have to gravel-vac a little more thoroughly to make sure too much waste isn't accumulating deep in the gravel. Is there anything else I should be aware of?

 

[Xabien]

I think most of the bacteria is in the filter. Only a tiny bit will be in the gravel so it shouldn't affect it too much. Good luck.

 

[poikilotherm]

I see no reason why adding and then removing some gravel would be harmful to the betta tanks. As you correctly surmise, more thorough vacuuming would be good. The bacterial growth depends on nutrient load, so a 5.5g tank with one betta will not support a large bacterial population, and that's good, because that's all that is needed. If you have an overloaded tank, waste buildup, anaerobicity, and toxic bacterial products could be a problem made worse by having deep gravel, but I think you have nothing to worry about in your tanks.

Seeding a new tank from a *healthy* tank is a good thing.

Go for it.

 

[An t-iasg]

Thanks for your opinions -- the tanks and the bettas are healthy, and it won't hurt to try to get a head start on a new tank!

 

[Blazeherd2306]

There shouldn't be a problem.