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Duffbear Duffbear
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  • Posted on: 24/3/2008 23:39
Changing Substrate #1
Basically the substrate is a mess, its a mixture of about 3 different colours and its covered in algae, i want to change it to a single colour substrate, possibly black, my nitrates are climbing so a water change is due, i was wondering if it was possible to remove say 80% of the water then scoop out the substrate and put the new stuff in, while i was doing that i planned to keep the fish (10 neons and a betta) in a bucket of tank water with the heater in untill i change the substrate and replant the plants, would any of this present a problem?

Thanks
cathie cathie
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 0:18
Re: Changing Substrate #2
I wouldn't put the betta in the same bucket as the neons!
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gwa84 gwa84
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 1:26
Re: Changing Substrate #3
i would gravel vack as much of the gravel as possible not going more the 40 percent water removal then use a net to get the old ravel out wash your new grave thoroughly then place in a bucket with water then dechlorinate it mix the gravel well with the dechlorinated water the ad a scoop at a time to the required depth after a few awers clean the filter with tank water then clean agen the following day don't be to vigorous with the clean tho if you must remove the fish bag them up as tho you got them from the shop and keep species separate
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Duffbear Duffbear
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 18:58
Re: Changing Substrate #4
So a an 80% water change is out of the question? I would keep the species separate now i think of it lol
CameronR CameronR
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 20:03
Re: Changing Substrate #5
If you do change it, use the same water, as that is what the fish are used to. It will also contain some good bacteria
Duffbear Duffbear
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 23:13
Re: Changing Substrate #6
So you think i could just drop the tank down to say 2 thirds take the substrate out add new stuff and top up with fresh stuff?
scott_888 scott_888
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  • Posted on: 25/3/2008 23:51
Re: Changing Substrate #7
i've got this headache when i finally get round to replacing the gravel in my tank with a very very fine black gravel
gwa84 gwa84
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  • Posted on: 26/3/2008 1:40
Re: Changing Substrate #8
you could take all the water out but put the same water back in after the gravel change with no more then 30 to 40 percent fresh this should prevent shock to the fish time to go buy lots of buckets lol
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CameronR CameronR
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  • Posted on: 26/3/2008 17:18
Re: Changing Substrate #9
I agree with GWa
Duffbear Duffbear
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  • Posted on: 28/3/2008 23:56
Re: Changing Substrate #10
I was thinking of just buying a large bucket or washing type basket that is able to hold a large amount of water, is there any type of plastic not suitable?