should i put gravel in my tank with fishes already in it?

Question

i had the fishes in the tank for about 2-3 weeks is it safe to add gravel? right now the tank is empty no plants or gravel i just want to know if i should add gravel would it kill the fishes? i have a 20-30 gallon tank with 14 goldfishes 3 big ones 11 small ones

Answer 1

I don't think you need to move the fish out before you add the gravel as long as you add it slowly and carefully so as not to hit the fish with it. You can use a clean cup, fill it with gravel, and put the cup down near the bottom before pouring the gravel out of it. Move slowly and the fish shouldn't even be too stressed by the addition.

Rinse the gravel really well first with nothing but hot water -- no soap -- until the water runs clear of dust or grit.

I have to agree with the others who have said you're VERY overstocked in that tank. Goldfish need room to swim and reach their full potential in size, which can be 6" to a foot for fancies, and one to two feet for commons. Some people will tell you they'll "grow into their tank and then stop" but what they're talking about is called stunting, and it means that your fish will stop growing because they're overcrowded and the halt in growth is accompanied by health problems and shortened life spans.

Adding gravel will actually help by increasing the surfaces where beneficial bacteria can grow in order to help process the ammonia and nitrites in your tank, but with that degree of overstocking, I hope you're doing partial water changes every 2nd or 3rd day anyway.

Please consider lowering your stock to 2 fancy goldfish for a 20 gallon or 3 for a 30 gallon. Any commons or comets need to be rehomed to a pond or several hundred gallon tank.

Answer 2

I don't think it would kill the fish as long as you made CERTAIN the gravel was super clean and dust free. Just remember that the gravel will displace quite a lot of water...so remove some first.
I'm curious as to why you just don't remove some of the water to a large bucket and put the fish in there while you add the gravel and plants?
It is much easier to arrange the gravel and plants without the fish in the tank.

Answer 3

It doesn't change anything with or without gravel, it's all what you want, bare bottoms is a new trend that alot of people are going for, and it will be easier to pick up excess food when you clean the tank. If you chose to add gravel make sure you rinse it out really good before hand, the water may be cloudy afterwards, but you are probably used to that if you have 14 golfish in your tank.

Answer 4

you are supposed to wash the gravel first then put it in the tank
fill the tank with water add the water purifying stuff let the heater get the temp up to the proper temp. Then add the fish
you could do it now just wash the gravel first make it 2 inches deep so you can bury the plants

Answer 5

including gravel wont impression the tank's cycle, or the fish in any authentic way. it truly is only rocks. They sit down there. at last they are going to be colonised by using some cycle micro organism, and help with the cycle, yet that is not any longer significant. only wash the gravel fairly nicely so it would not make the water cloudy with airborne dirt and dust once you upload it. How a lot? only sorta wing it. seem on the bag of gravel and picture the way it is going to seem spread by skill of the bottom of your tank. also, if it truly is only ornament, then you honestly in trouble-free words favor sufficient to cover the bottom. in case you want flowers then you honestly favor it a minimum of an inch deep. yet you are able to always upload more suitable later. So get a bag and spread some over the bottom and observe the way evidently. you are able to always upload more suitable next week. probability is the tank is in trouble-free words a million/2 way cycled immediately, yet including gravel wont impression that, it wont help, notwithstanding it wont damage some thing both. Ian

Answer 6

no way would i put the gravel in NOW! there is too much dust in it. ensure that you have the correct type by calling an aquarium store first, then, you have to take the fish out. i'd advise using both a seive and colander to wash the gravel, put it into the empty tank, fill it again, treat the water, ensure the temperature is correct, all before you put the fish back in. and your Ph balance must be okay also. goldfish are strong, but not that strong. but ask the aquarium people too.

Answer 7

you can put it in but you need to rinse it real good do this buy outting it in a bucket and run water over itand stir it till all the dust and dirt is gone and then put it in a cup at a time you might have to take some of the water out of the tank the gravel will desplace some water

Answer 8

if you rinse the gravel off well and add it carefully it will be fine.

however, that is WAY too many goldfish for that tank. you shouldn't have more than 2 or 3 goldfish for that tank. goldfish produce tons of ammonia and need a lot of space to themselves.

Answer 9

you should clean the gravel first ,take out the fish clean tank. put gravel then your fish.if its road gravel it will kill the fish.

Answer 10

yes you can just rinse them off first!