Qiuck Question

[zorba4884]

Im going to change my tank substract from dark rocks to river sand, should i take out my fish when i put the sand in? The tank is currently houseing 2x JD, 1xGt, 1XCon
i know i have to rinse the sand.

 

[cichlid fiend]

I WOULD SO YES BUT SEE WAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY

 

[D-Train]

If you put it in slowly you wont need to but if you have a spare tank It might be easier to move them, remember to seed your new substrate with the old, or your tank might go through an ammonia spike because of the sudden decrease in beneficial bacteria.. To do this just put your old substrate in a pillow case and have that in the tank with your new sand for a couple days.

 

[zorba4884]

If you put it in slowly you wont need to but if you have a spare tank It might be easier to move them, remember to seed your new substrate with the old, or your tank might go through an ammonia spike because of the sudden decrease in beneficial bacteria.. To do this just put your old substrate in a pillow case and have that in the tank with your new sand for a couple days.

Didnt eeven think of loosing the bacteria ,cheers

 

[cichlid fiend]

told u so ask the experts

 

[zorba4884]

yeah glad i did something so simple could of been so bad

 

[D-Train]

 

[QueenslandeR]

depending on how much bio media you have in your filter, it shouldn't make that much of a difference if take out all the substrate or not, if you have large rocks or driftwood it'll have bacteria on it. I'd make sure you really really wash the sand first, as it will be the fine particles that will make your tank hazy for ages. Being gentle when putting it in helps as well, instead of just dumping bucketloads on sand in at a time.

 

[zorba4884]

depending on how much bio media you have in your filter, it shouldn't make that much of a difference if take out all the substrate or not, if you have large rocks or driftwood it'll have bacteria on it. I'd make sure you really really wash the sand first, as it will be the fine particles that will make your tank hazy for ages. Being gentle when putting it in helps as well, instead of just dumping bucketloads on sand in at a time.

yeah im gunna really rinse the sand and do a slow reverse vaume it into the tank, i have drifft wood and a bio filter with noodles and balls in it but im still keen to ues D-trains idea

 

[QueenslandeR]

yeah im gunna really rinse the sand and do a slow reverse vaume it into the tank, i have drifft wood and a bio filter with noodles and balls in it but im still keen to ues D-trains idea

wouldnt hurt just for a failsafe