Help with Substrate Change

[chompchompdie]

I have a small aquarium up and running with a lava rock substrate. I have recently been itching to plant the aquarium, but the lava rock seems like it would be an unsuitable substrate for a planted tank. I would like to switch to a laterite/ small gravel mix. What would be the easiest way to make the switch? Should I transfer the fish to a large bucket while i do the work? Is there some magical-secret technique to doing a substrate change with the fish in the tank? And will removing the old substrate seriously compromise the biological filter of the tank? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Wonderwoman]

i wouldn't do the whole tank at once, for one thing...if your tank isn't planted yet, maybe it shouldn't be too hard. i don't know how big the grains of your substrate are, but there are tools out there that you scoop along the bottom, and it's slotted so the water flows through and you just bring out the substrate. (i'd like to note that they look very much like kitty litter scoops that sell for $0.99 ) most of the biological filter is in your filter, so don't worry too much, as long as you do it in two or three stages you should be fine.

as for fish, what do you have in there? some might be stressed, some might be ok. adding laterite will cloud the water for awhile though.

good luck~!

 

[sinasster]

I just changed my substrate from glass to gravel in my 5 gallon with the fish still in the tank.

I used my large fish net to scoop the glass out. first i removed all the rocks and plants then slowly started scooping it out. I too breaks every couple of scoops to allow the filter to catch all the "stuff" that your going to be stirring up. then once cleaned out i just added the new gravel one handful at a time back into the bottom of the tank.

The fish didnt seem to mind one bit, as i get the impression that they were glad to see the glass go.