How would i go about changing out all the gravel in my 30 gal tank without messing up the water cycle?

Question

I want to put actual rocks in the bottom of my 30 gal freshwater tank. It has colored gravel now. The tank is fairly new and the nitrite and ammonia levels just got to where they need to be. I do not want to mess up the levels again. What is the best way to change this out without loosing all the bacteria that is now built up in the tank.
I do not want to mess up the balance that I now have. so any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, the main bacteria is build up in your filter and not the gravel, but it's always recommended to keep at least some gravel in there, which also help the tank a lot to stay espablished

I would just take a cup and scoop it out slowly

if you put new one in, just make sure it's clean, and that you slowly submerge it



Hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 2

Sorry to tell you this hun, but there is no way. You're better off waiting until you have to do a complete tank clean to switch out the gravel. Boil the rocks before you add them to your tank, and use plenty of stress coat. You'll need to let it cycle for about a day after a complete clean, 2 days if you put all new gravel in. If you weren't putting completely new gravel in, just adding to what you already have instead, then there would be no prblem in adding your fish right after a cleaning. I reccommend keeping your fish in the bathtub during this time. Hope this Helps!

Answer 3

hi :o) As all have suggested in the different placed up's. 15-25% water are mandatory weekly, using a siphon gravel filter out is excellent as they do away with the debris without too plenty subject and additionally you're additionally eliminating the water too on the comparable time! for sure) . cleansing manually might disrupt the 'carbon cycle' Use rigidity coat to handle the hot water , undergo in concepts only dose to the hot water volume not the entire tank volume or you will over dose (say you do away with 38L the dose for that with rigidity coat is 5ml, somebody i comprehend dosed up as though it have been their total tank and over dosed x4!). rigidity zyme is stable too. desire i;v helped without too plenty confusion :p megan

Answer 4

your filter system should put the levels back I have change my 29 gallon rock and my fish had done well, I have never had to check all of that stuff I've had my goldfish for 3 years and his water quality has never affected him at all. if you change the rock make sure that you wash it well before you put it in the tank.

Answer 5

ugh -- why do people answer questions they can't answer? wrap up your old gravel in cheesecloth or panty hose or something. then you can put your other rocks in the bottom. what kind of rocks are you using in the bottom instead of gravel? some rocks will hike you ph so if they aren't specifically made for aquariums be careful. two really bad rocks for aquariums are limestone and marble.

Answer 6

well if it isn't a salt water tank then you should be able to scoop out gravel slowly your tank will get cloudy for a day or two then the algae should settle and clear back up without messing up the balance in your tank

Answer 7

it depends if u want to take the gravel out...if you dont just clean the rocks really good, and drop them in there and if u are gonna take the gravel out,get a scoop of some kind and get it out, and then put the CLEAN rocks in there....good luck...p.s dont stir the poop up 2 much..lol.