Hi. I'm planning on switching my aquariums over from gravel to sand this summer. When I do the switch, will the removal of the gravel bed damage the bio in my tanks enough that I need to do something additional? Could use some advise. Thanks!
Interesting question... i would say if your filter is mature enough and able to handle the existing bioload then you should be okay?
But with that being said it will also depend on how you plan on changing out the substrates? i.e. taking all fish and water out, not taking all water out?
The short answer is yes, especially if your using an undergravel filter. Are you using power filters (canister or HOB)? If not I would recommend buying them as you will need external filtration with sand anyway. There is a very large amount of benificial bacteria on the sruface area of the gravel. For minimal impact you can remove it in chunks over time to avoid big swings. Don't believe the people that say your biological only live in your filter, that is not true.
As JK mentioned yes it will.. He was totally correct on everything he said... I'd make sure your filtration is up to the challenge before you pull out all the gravel and make the switch, and also make sure all filters are fully cycled and have been running on this tank for awhile.
Justin you are right the bio does not only live in the filter. But if he has a well established filters then he can remove the gravel and put the sand in at once.
Justin you are right the bio does not only live in the filter. But if he has a well established filters then he can remove the gravel and put the sand in at once.
Agreed Jeffery. When I hear the words gravel bed and bio I always assume UGF just to be safe. IME switching to a new filter on an established tank causes less of a mini-cycle than adding an established filter to a new tank. All surface area in the tank harbor bacterial colonies not just the filters.
I agree that pulling it all out at once could cause ammonia and nitrite to raise a litte, hard to say how much without more info.
Safest thing as mentioned would be to pull out a little of gravel once a week so the bio in your filter can compensate. Then when there is little to no gravel left make the switch.
I would also do some good gravel vacs cause it is amazing how much crap is in there when you start pulling it out!
When I went from gravel to sand in my daughter's 55 gallon there was no "mini cycle". If you have a proper amount of bio media in your filters and are not relying on an undergravel filter you will be fine.
Hi. I'm planning on switching my aquariums over from gravel to sand this summer. When I do the switch, will the removal of the gravel bed damage the bio in my tanks enough that I need to do something additional? Could use some advise. Thanks!
Anytime a large change is done, there is the possibility of some spiking.
Nothing testing and WC can`t handle.
Having a truckload of bio media does not mean you have a large bacterial colony in it.
All it means is you have a truckload of bio media.
Whether it`s been running 6 months, or 6 years makes no difference.
The lil buggers will grow wherever the conditions are right.
They will flourish where conditions are best and that could be places other than your media.
Which is why I heavily vac my gravel every other day to make the filter media in my canister the most ideal location for bacteria to colonise. Just my 2 cents
