Changing substrate when upgrading tank?

[seanh]

I will shortly be upgrading my tank and want to take the opportunity to switch to a different substrate, however I am very concious of the benefical bacteria within the old substrate and I dont want to shock my current stock too much.

What is the best way to go about doing this or should I avoid it all together for the time being?

 

[Drstrangelove]

Unless you are using a gravel filter, most of your BB is somewhere else in another filter (HOB, sponge, canister, sump, etc.)

Make sure you transfer that filter (or at least all of the media) to the new tank. Keep whatever media you are transferring wet, preferably with the old tank water and don't let it sit too long. If the whole process takes too long (a couple weeks or longer) you will lose a lot of BB. Preferably move it immediately after the new tank is set. Do not clean or rinse the old 'mature' media, or use chlorinated water or none of this matters.

Give the tank and the BB a day or two to settle in then feed the fish at about half the amount you were feeding in the old tank, then gradually work to full. Measure and track the water parameters and make sure it's working before you ramp up feeding.

 

[seanh]

Good stuff thanks. I am using two internal filters at the moment but will be up grading the filter at the same time for the new tank. One of the internals will go straight in the new tank and the second one, I will remove all the media etc and put into the new filter along with all the new media, as that internal is part of the existing tank.

The whole process shouldnt take more than a couple of hours as it is a straight swap so will hopefully not lose any BB. I will transfer most of the existing water/plants/ornaments also.

I will check the parameters frequently after.

Thanks for the response!

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I have gravel used over and over since the 1970's. I give it a good stir with a broom handle while rinsing with tap water. No point is putting dirty gravel in a new setup.
I do the same for any new substrate as well. A bit of Prime or such when he tank is filled with new water should be ok.