Underground Gravel Filter

[TiGGER DATNOID]

I have an underground gravel filter in my tank. I want to change my gravel to black gravel.
1) What do I do with my new gravel just bought?
2) Do I just take out the gravel on top of the filter and replace it with the new black gravel?
Thanks.

 

[jcardona1]

Do you have more filtration, more bio filtration? Cause if you dont, when you change out your gravel youre gonna wipe out your bacteria colony and your tank will have to re-cycle again.

if you have other forms of bio filtration, then you should be fine. Just rinse the new gravel well, take out the old, and throw the new gravel on top of the filter plates

 

[TiGGER DATNOID]

How long do I rinse out? Do I add hot water?

 

[TiGGER DATNOID]

Anyone know about the amonia and bacteria?

 

[OnceLoyal]

Thats what Jcar is talking about. If you remove your gravel you will be removing your bacteria. So your tank might go through another "cycle" as it builds it's bacteria back on the new gravel. You can help with that by keeping a little of the old gravel in for awhile on top of the new for a couple weeks or so.
You don't need to add hot water just rinse the gravel for 30 seconds or so. DO NOT CLEAN YOUR GRAVEL PLATES!!!! Thats about it man. GL to ya

 

[haynchinook334]

IMO, under gravle fiters are horrable and point less. but with the new gravle, you just have to rinse it out( hot water if you like), take out the old gravle and save 50% of the water you're takeing out of your tank. add UGF, and new gravle and the water you saved.

 

[jcardona1]

Hey sorry i didnt answer your question last night, i had signed off. anyways, just rinse the new gravel until the water runs clear and no more debris is in there. hot or cold water, wont make a difference.

as for your filtration, you mentioned in your message that you had two hang on filters. it really depends on what brand of filter you have. if you have the filters that only have a the blue cartridge in there, i dont think theyre gonna be able to support your bio load while the bacteria grows in your new gravel.

id recommend changing out half of the gravel, wait a few weeks, then change out the other half. you could even use some divider in the meantime so that you dont mix up the colors of the gravel while your waiting.

 

[jcardona1]

IMO, under gravle fiters are horrable and point less. but with the new gravle, you just have to rinse it out( hot water if you like), take out the old gravle and save 50% of the water you're takeing out of your tank. add UGF, and new gravle and the water you saved.

yeah gravel filters for bio filtration are really bad and becoming obsolete. what size tank do you have and what is your stocking levels? i think the very best thing you can do is get a canister filter and ditch the whole undergravel filter, of course, wait till your new filter is established before you remove the UGF

 

[CHOMPERS]

IMO, under gravle fiters are horrable and point less...

Care to explain your point of view? In the mean time, here's a spelling monkey for you: