Noviceafter2yea
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2014
- Messages
- 504
I have two tanks that I would like to switch out the substrate. Both are cycled.
The first one I would like to change is from gravel to sand. I think it would be best for my julii cories. My readings for this tank are 0, 0, 15-20, 8.1 temp 78 farhenheit. Two of my cories have lost their barbels. They were healing and growing back and then lost again. Because my readings are good, I think it is the gravel and not poor water quality.
The second one I would like to change is from one color gravel to another color. I have glo-light tetras and will be adding neon tetras after the change and good readings. The readings are currently fine and match the above except the N3 is 10-15. I know the change in substrate may affect the cycle since some of the BB is in the gravel. I will, however, be using the same filter, fake plants, and wood which should also have BB.
What is the best way to do this. Ideally I would like to change it all at once so I don't have mixed substrates. I know new substrate must be rinsed of all dirt and dust.
Is it okay to change it all out at once? Do I do a water change at the same time or should I wait so as not to stress the fish out too much? Should I remove the fish to a bucket of the tank water? It would be easy for me to do that with the 14 gallon because it only has a few glo-light tetras.
The 20 gallon would be a bit more difficult because there are more fish - 11.
While I'm asking - I will eventually be moving some fry (about 3.5 months) to a bigger tank, but the lighting is different. They currently have LED, but would be moved into a tank with yellowish, darker light. Or, I can wait to cycle a new 20 gallon tank which has LED lights.
Boy, I wish when I started the hobby, I knew to get a bigger tank which I understand is easier to maintain good water and wouldn't require testing water from 4 different tanks.
Thanks for your help. I don't want to do anything wrong!
The first one I would like to change is from gravel to sand. I think it would be best for my julii cories. My readings for this tank are 0, 0, 15-20, 8.1 temp 78 farhenheit. Two of my cories have lost their barbels. They were healing and growing back and then lost again. Because my readings are good, I think it is the gravel and not poor water quality.
The second one I would like to change is from one color gravel to another color. I have glo-light tetras and will be adding neon tetras after the change and good readings. The readings are currently fine and match the above except the N3 is 10-15. I know the change in substrate may affect the cycle since some of the BB is in the gravel. I will, however, be using the same filter, fake plants, and wood which should also have BB.
What is the best way to do this. Ideally I would like to change it all at once so I don't have mixed substrates. I know new substrate must be rinsed of all dirt and dust.
Is it okay to change it all out at once? Do I do a water change at the same time or should I wait so as not to stress the fish out too much? Should I remove the fish to a bucket of the tank water? It would be easy for me to do that with the 14 gallon because it only has a few glo-light tetras.
The 20 gallon would be a bit more difficult because there are more fish - 11.
While I'm asking - I will eventually be moving some fry (about 3.5 months) to a bigger tank, but the lighting is different. They currently have LED, but would be moved into a tank with yellowish, darker light. Or, I can wait to cycle a new 20 gallon tank which has LED lights.
Boy, I wish when I started the hobby, I knew to get a bigger tank which I understand is easier to maintain good water and wouldn't require testing water from 4 different tanks.
Thanks for your help. I don't want to do anything wrong!