how to change substrate

[JackGillett]

:hi:
as a few of you know, ive had some problems with my fish lately. i want to change my sand, as its deep, (recomended :wb: ) and its gone stagnant.
i would like to change it to black gravel, quite fine, that will cover the bottom of my juwel rekord 96. i plan to have it 3 cm deep, with mts to keep it airated.
any suggestions on how to do it?
ive been told, and i know, under the first 1 or 2 cm, the sand is deadly :cry:
i want to seperate my remaining fish, that survived my disaster, (2 bn plecs, 6 cardinals, and 4 corys in a container, with filter if (i need it?)
and take the sand out, replace it with the rinsed black gravel, top the water back up,and add the fish.
any helpers? thankyou!!

 

[rpp1973]

With fish removed use a icecream tub,be carefull not to scratch the glass! anything left can be syphond with a hose:yes:

 

[JackGillett]

ok thanks mate, should i seperate the fish?

 

[rpp1973]

I am probably not the best at explaining.but no one else looks like they are going to comment here go's!


better still syphon as much tank water into sutable tub/vat/buckets and remove fish to one of these. add filter /heater if its going to be a long job!

then spoon,scoop the sand out.swill and syphon the sandy residue out and wash and add new gravel.refill tank with saved water and get back up to temperature. all thats left is to add your fish. you may need to add a jug or two of tank water to your fish bucket to balance temperatures.

add fish
job done!

 

[JackGillett]

thanks mate, will do some planning.

 

[scatz]

Yep, what Rob said.

 

[stannyblade]

its easier than you would think mate. the last posts just about sum up what to do. I changed my rekord 96 from gravel to sand in a couple of hours so the other way should be about the same. may be an idea to wash the gravel before you start if you have somewhere to store it that will cut down on time.

Keep us posted

 

[JackGillett]

thanks stannyblade, as i said, the sand is polluted lower down, so should i do a large water change before adding the fish, or take as much water as i can out?
i dont want to stir the bad chemicals up.

 

[stannyblade]

I would take about 50% out to save and then replace the rest with fresh water. Dont clean your filter though this time and maybe put some stress zyme or similar in

 

[JackGillett]

ok thanks mate, will be doing it soon, will keep you posted