leungie Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Hi all, I want to remove my original substrate (gravel) to something finer (sand) in my tank for the geophagus. I have driftwood and rocks in there already. What's the best way to change the substrate such that the foam on the bottom of the tank won't float up whilst i'm doing the change.... you think i can just take out the gravel (without emptying the water inside), place rocks on the foam so that it doesnt float, and place in new, clean sand without having to remove the fish?? Your help is much appreciated~ James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bijengum Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I would syphon the old substrate out a section of the time - replace it carefully with the washed sand. With the water you take out you will need to add it back to the tank after the rubbish has settled to continue the syphoning operation. The other way is to use a spare tank. Keep most of the water from the tank in containers, put the fish in the spare tank with water from their own tank, clean out the substrate, replace with sand, add water back, get filters going, replace fish. Hi all, I want to remove my original substrate (gravel) to something finer (sand) in my tank for the geophagus. I have driftwood and rocks in there already. What's the best way to change the substrate such that the foam on the bottom of the tank won't float up whilst i'm doing the change.... you think i can just take out the gravel (without emptying the water inside), place rocks on the foam so that it doesnt float, and place in new, clean sand without having to remove the fish?? Your help is much appreciated~ James ← Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momo Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 what type of foam are you refering to on the bottom of the tank? I can see it possible changing the substrate without much issue. just siphon out the gravel into a bucket, with siphoning you can get all of the gravel. Then slowly place the new substrate in one corner before spreading it out evenly over the rest of the tank. You dont really need to take the driftwood and stuff out but would probably make it alot easier, if you decide not to take it out just do half of the tank at a time and just move the wood to the other side of the tank. Hope that helps although i may have misunderstood your post especially in regards to the foam. cheers and good luck haha beat me to it Bijengum, too quick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leungie Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 Thanks guys I guess I'll siphon 1/4 of the tank at a time. Seems like the easiest option. Thanks!!! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzFish Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 i am also interested to know about the foam. Did you put the foam that goes between the tank and the stand in the actual tank under the gravel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Maybe he didn't want the gravel scratching the bottom of the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlos Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 What's the best way to change the substrate such that the foam on the bottom of the tank won't float up i think he means he put the foam in between the tank and the gravel. he probably has alot of rockwork and did it to distribute the weight along the bottom of the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbuna Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 if replacing the sand bit by bit, try using a bit of pvc tube to pour the sand though - this way the sand lands where you want it too and doesnt stir up the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkmuncan Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 i put foam on top of the glass under my gravel in my last tank... had heaps of pointy bits of rock and didnt want any point pressure put on the glass.... worked really well til someone started digging up the substrate and the foam started shifting around and floating up in the corners! i shant do it again :S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I got a 25mm hose from bunnings & siphoned away - found the regular garden hose clogged way to easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchy Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 i got a 25mm hose from bunnings and it also clogged. I ended up just using a large strainer (used in the kitchen for washing vegies ) and scooped all the gravel into it and pulled it out thus draining the water from the gravel and keeping the mulm if you want. i think siphoned to get the last bits of gravel out. I will actually be doing this tomorow as i'm putting laterite under the gravel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leungie Posted January 28, 2006 Author Share Posted January 28, 2006 Before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leungie Posted January 28, 2006 Author Share Posted January 28, 2006 And after Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6C1 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Looks very nice. But the ligher gravel has a better contract with the rock/wood work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leungie Posted January 28, 2006 Author Share Posted January 28, 2006 Yup totally agree with you there... just gotta get some colourful fish now hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.