best method?

[milkman407]

Whats the best way to change substrate?

im going from white gravel to black sand

 

[davo]

take out the gravel and put in the new. lol

i have completely taken everything out the plant to re-do it, but i guess you could siphon out the old (if the suction is strong enough) and put the new in. would be a water change too! otherwise just do it manually... can't think of another way

 

[milkman407]

Like should i drain the whole tank and take it out or should i leave the water in and take it out.

Wont the water be cloudy if i put the sand in while theres water in it?

 

[RadleyMiller]

I would take out some of the water, and then add sand cupfulls at a time.

 

[milkman407]

Mkk, sounds good thank you very much

 

[moneygetter1]

I would take out some of the water, and then add sand cupfulls at a time

The water's gonna be cloudy regardless untill the particles completely settle. Remove like 75/80% of the water, scoop out the gravel & S L O W L Y add the sand then water back. Good Luck, "T"

 

[milkman407]

Black background, Black sand WOOT

 

[tb_077]

I've done this many times.


Just use a piece of hose from a gravel vac. Siphon out the old substrate into a bucket, which will remove water, but less that 50% if you get the hang of it quickly.

The tank will get cloudy from all the particles stirred up. but just wait an hour after removing the old substrate and vacuum the crap from the bottom.

 

[milkman407]

What about my filters? is it safe to leave them off for an hour or 2? Wont the bb die?

 

[MilitantPotato]

Use a cop and dump tank water on it if ya can, aslong as it stays wet it won't die in 1-2 hours.