Substrate Change

[novaheat]

Has anyone changed the substrate in a cycled tank? Just wondering if it can cause problems. I am using a sump for filtration on a 120 gallon tank.

Thanks,
NovaHeat

 

[BigJim]

I switched from gravel to sand in my 29g.

- Keep the filter media wet. This is the key to keeping your tank from cycling again.

- Put your fish in bucket or coolers for temporary housing.

It's pretty straightforward after that. Keep a close eye on water parameters for a few days after the switch for any indication of a minicycle.

 

[FishEggs]

if you want a little bit of extra caution you could do half at a time. or add a hob filter on the tank for a while before switching the substrate to compensate for lost bio-media and help clean up the water from the gunk that will get stirred up.

 

[Smitty]

Did it with my 55. Went from gravel to sand all at once. I don't think I even had a mini-cycle. My filter already having the bacteria plus all the stuff that was in the tank. Water doesn't have all that much bacteria, it lives on all the 'stuff'.

BTW: I'm very happy I changed mine.

 

[Fishguy2727]

Effectively all of your nitrifying bacteria should be in your filtration, not the substrate or decor. I have swapped substrate multiple times with absolutely no issues. I have also moved the fish and filtration (and nothing else) from an established tank to a completely new setup with no issues at all.