Changing substrate

[bilwith1l]

Ok, so I have a 75 gallon tank that has been running since around Christmas time. I have plays and on the bottom with a layer of colored gravel on top of that. I am thinking of changing to either a white or black sand, possibly mixed with the gravel that I have. I might also add a few live plants in the future. I was wondering if changing the entire substrate would affect the cycle of the tank.

[ptran]

What is your filtration?
IMO, I don't think it would affect much the cycle of the tank. Most bacteria colony should be on your filter, not on the substrate. I used to change out the entire gravel bottom for sand without losing any fish.
You can also try to switch out 1/2 of the substrate for couple weeks, then change out the rest of it.

[bilwith1l]

Alright. Right now I am lightly stocked. I just have a emperor 400 hob filter. I am getting ready to build either a wet dry or canister filter.

[mnemenoi]

Substrate swaps can be done. They are tough on livestock. I usually always recommend against capping as they eventually get mixed and kill the effect originally intended

[troy tucker]

I used a 1 inch hose to remove all my gravel. Every time I did a water change. I would remove little more.