Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: lukenewfish on May 21, 2013, 06:02:51 PM

Title: gravel change
Post by: lukenewfish on May 21, 2013, 06:02:51 PM
hi i hope someone can help me. i am going to change my gravel at the moment i have a standard fish tank gravel all rough and horrible and i am changing to some fine gravel almost like sand. i was wondering whats the best way to do it should i take the fish out or leave them in. also how will it affect the bacteria in the tank at the moment hope someone can help.
Title: Re: gravel change
Post by: Sue on May 21, 2013, 07:15:40 PM
I changed 3 tanks from gravel to sand a couple of years ago, so it is possible to do it without problem  ;D


Unless you have an undergravel filter, there will be some bacteria in the gravel but the majority will be in the filter. I would take the fish out while you remove the old gravel as there is likely to be a lot of muck in there. If at all possible, remove as much water as you can and put the fish in it. Then remove the gravel and if the water that's left is very bad, remove that too. Put the new gravel in, decor, plants etc, replace the water and fish you took out then just top up with new water. I used a plastic dustbin when I did my 125 litre, but I had to completely empty it as I was also moving it across the room. If the gravel doesn't contain too much muck you'll be able to get away with leaving some water in the tank.
Wash the new gravel before you start. Feed the fish lightly for a day or two before and after to reduce the ammonia they produce, and keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrite for several days after (and do a water change if you see either of them).
Title: Re: gravel change
Post by: lukenewfish on May 21, 2013, 07:30:55 PM
thats a great help sue thank you very much i am guessing the water will be very mucky under the gravel as I only have a small tank. so i will probably remove all the water in the tank and start afresh thank you again.