How much BB in your substrate

[nfored]

So I am in the slow process of converting my tank into a planted tank. I removed the rocks from my and watched it for a couple days to make sure the was no ammonia spike. My next step will be to slowly replace the lava rocks in my canister with matrix. My question is do I need to take it slow when removing my sand? I know our substrate has BB in it but when not using filter that pull water through or across the sand would it have enough in it to cause a mini cycle if I remove it all at once.

i have went from rocks to sand in one day but never thought to check to see if it caused a cycle.

 

[Bderick67]

I've never had an issue completely replacing substrate in the tank. As you said without flow BB population is minimal. I would do the change and monitor a few days before changing anything in your filter.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Well, sand will likely have less BB than something like gravel because it is more compact (even though there is more surface area in sand). But it really depends on your tank's filtration. If you have enough filtration (HOB, canister, sump, etc.) then you don't have anything to worry about. If you have minimal filtration then you might want to be a little more careful.