how should i change the gravel in my tank?

Question

ok i have a 20 gal with 1 snail 9 neons 1 dwarf gourami and 3 corys i want darker gravel in my tank to show ther coulors better but im not sure how to while keeping my tank healthy

Answer 1

You are correct, the health of your tank is important when changing gravel as so much of the good bacteria lives on the gravel. I assume you have a power filter of some type on the tank, so I'll make my recommendation based on that.

First, don't use gravel from another tank unless you are willing to run the risk of diseases moving from one tank to the other.

I suggest you make the change slowly to allow the bacteria that normally lives on the gravel to be replaced by bacteria living on other things in the tank. First, siphon the gravel well to remove as much detritus as possible. Then, remove about 1/2 of the gravel from your tank and top off the tank. Wait 3-4 days and remove about 1/2 of the remaining gravel and top off the tank. After another 3-4 days, remove the last of your old gravel and siphon the bottom to clean it up a bit as well as to remove some water. Remember that the new gravel will take up space in the tank, so your water level needs to be lowered a bit before you add the new gravel.

Wash your new gravel to remove dust and trash from the packaging process and slowly add it to the tank using a cup or bowl to lower it new the bottom of the tank before pouring it out. This will prevent a fish from getting trapped in the new gravel.

Once the new gravel is in place, smooth it, replant plants and arrange your tank as you would like, then top off the water level. Squeeze out the sponge or filter cartridge into the tank so that some bacteria from the filter will be added back into the water and therefore onto your gravel. Wait at least 1 week before cleaning your filter for the bacteria to recolonize your gravel bed. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me.

MM

Answer 2

As far as I can tell, that should be an easy task.
You probably already have some good bacteria established in your tank, living on the filter, plants, decorations, etc. By removing the current gravel, you'll also be removing some bacteria, so I would say the best option probably would be to do a gradual change (i.e. keep 80% old gravel 20% new gravel for a couple of days, then 50% old gravel 50% new gravel a couple of days later, etc. until it is completely changed). Good luck. Ah, don't forget to clean the new gravel very well before doing this.

Answer 3

Well what i would do is take all of the living things in your tank out first. Then take the gravel out and make sure you clean the new gravel you have an then put the new gravel in then put the living things back in.

Answer 4

Do you have another tank? That would be your best bet. Take some of the gravel out of your cycled tank and put it into the second tank with the new gravel and use it as seed material. If you don't, do you have room to put a bag of your new gravel in with the old so that it can become seed? Then, as time progresses, take out a little old gravel and put in an additional bag of gravel until you've moved out a majority of your old gravel and then take out all your decorations and move in the remaining new with the seeded gravel.

Answer 5

you could take your fish out of the tank keep them in the same water in a bucket, take out your gravel and some of the water replace the gravel with new washed gravel and top up the water with tepid water our fish always survived, we did this often to keep the gravel clean.

Answer 6

Get all the fish in the bucket and clean the tank and while your doing that remove the gravel and place the new ones. Be sure to clean the new gravel before you put it in.