Tropical Fish Forums

[rjw92]

I have a 60L tank that contains 5 black phantom tetras and 4 bronze cories.

It's had fish in for 6 months (after cycling for a few months before that), and ammonia levels etc are stable at 0 or near 0.

The only problem I have is that I am finding the substrate difficult to clean. It is a very fine black river sand/gravel and trying to suck up debris from the tank floor usually ends up with sucking up the gravel as well.

Is it possible to replace the substrate without ruining the tanks ability to process ammonia and nitrites?

Removing substrate would also allow me to lay down some fertiliser so that I can start developing a planted tank (as a beginner, I originally only used plastic ones).


If it is alright to switch substrates, where should I keep the fish while I change things in the tank?

[Fern]

Changing you substrate could cause a mini cycle. What are you planning on changing it to? Corys do best with fine smooth sand.
If you do your planning and prep your new substrate it should take very long to make the change. You can move your fish into a clean bucket during the change using tank water and running your filter in it should keep your bacteria alive.
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I think I need a bigger tank......

[rjw92]

a mini cycle meaning slight increase of ammonia? I was thinking about a rounded gravel like this

http://www.rocketaquatics.co.uk/pettex-lake-land-aquarium-gravel-p-177.html

I just need it to be big enough so it is not sucked up by my siphon (which has a plastic mesh at the end).

My filter is fixed in the corner:( would it take so long to switch substrate that the bacteria would start dying?

[diademhill]

Instead of changing your substrate you need to change your siphon as the mesh on the end prevents you using it as a gravel cleaner.
This si basically a wide tube so the substrate is picked up and the gunge is lifted up and out but the gravel, or sand, falls back.

If you do change the substrate just start netting it out over a few days, no need to move the fish.

[rjw92]

Is it all right to put in the new substrate with the fish still in the tank? What if I decide to put some fertiliser down first?

[diademhill]

You can put in substrate with fish present if you are careful and use a plastic jug.

What fertiliser are you thinking of using?

[nikelodeon79]

I have done full substrate changes in tanks ranging from 10g - 55g in one day, and have not had an issue with the cycle. I always made sure that the substrate change did not follow the rinsing of one of my filter pads, however.

After dropping the water level in my tank, I simply took out half of the substrate (using a net), leaving some decorations for the fish to hide in on one side. Then I moved the decorations to the other side and netted out the rest of the substrate. I used the same sort of procedure when putting the new substrate in, taking care to only put in a little at a time and not bury any fish.
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Cory Tank
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Mbuna Tanks

[rjw92]

Thank you for the help:)

I think I'll take the fish out because then I will feel less like I'm freaking them out when I move decorations/plant in the substrate.

I guess I'd put them in my 12L bucket and cover it with a towel.


I've not really thought about what fertiliser I'd use; what would you suggest?

[diademhill]

The fish will be more stressed by moving instead of the method above.

I woud refine your cleaning technique, keep the substrate you have and add root tabs for plants that need them.
What make is your tank and what lights does it have?

[rjw92]

I've got a Juwel Rekord 600 and I think the lighting is 15 watts. I was thinking of having java fern or dwarf anubias as well as tape grass in the background, because I love the way it looks when it overhangs the foreground of the tank.

Root tabs being tablets pushed into the substrate?

I'm guessing my fine gravel will be alright for plant roots then. If I do decide to do a change I might do a section of the tank a day or evry other day so that there is not too much disturbance. Would that work better?

Thanks again for the help