change substrate....help please.

[dana307]

Want to remove nearly all of my gravel and put down aquarium plant soil and sand in my 50 gal. Will save some cool marbles, a few larger stones etc from exisiting gravel. Have a fluval 304 on this tank and several plants - want more plants. Have some sand on 1/3 of the tank and plant soil loosely mixed in the gravel. Will the fluval work with sand okay? Will I disturb too much of my bacteria? Filter has been in there for several months and has lots of yummy bacteria. Fish are leporinus facititous, clown loaches, tiger barbs, black neons, pl*co, and giant danios. Any comments welcome please.

 

[RedTurquoise]

You may lose some bacteria but the major of the bacteria should be in the filter because of the water flow thru it. Thats where the bacteria will colonize because the constant water flow is providing lots of 02 and nutrients required to survive.

On the other hand, the plants will compete with the bacteria for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate therefore reducing the bacteria culture. Do you have another tank to place your fish in for a couple of week? THis will give your plants some time to recover.

HTH!

 

[dana307]

Thanks for the suggestions. No additoinal tank although I am planning on getting another 30 or 35 down the road. Anyone else have opinions???

 

[dana307]

any more suggestions? playing on playign with the tanks tomorrow. thanks in advance.

 

[dana307]

anyone out there?