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is it a bad idea to change substrates in a well established tank? ive got a planted tank ive had for 6-8 months now that i am wanting to change from gravel to eco complete. is it ok to do on a healthy tank will i hurt any of my fishes?
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Re: wanting to change substrates
There is some risk exchanging gravel when the older gravel has been in place for a while. Sometimes you can release a lot of bad stuff (i.e. H2S) into the water column as you scoop out the old gravel. I would recommend taking the fish out of the tank before you change out the gravel. You should probably take the plants out, as well. Then I would do a very thorough gravel vacuum before removing the gravel. That could minimize the problems that are possible. Then, after all is settled down, the fish and plants can return home. :)"Millennium hand and shrimp!" -
Re: wanting to change substrates
noob question of the day whats h2s? lol this is a 10 gallon planted tank would i be better off just getting a new tank and setting it up with eco complete and slowly transferring the fish and plants?Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates
I just did what your talking about. heres my thread,
I was changing the gravel in my 30 gallon, so I dumped 10 gallons down the drain like a big water change, then transfered all my decorations into the 20, and started sipohoning the water out of the 30 into the 20, then started transfering fish into the 20, once I was done with all the water and fish I scooped out the gravel and scrubbed a few spots on the sides. then rinsed it and sipohned that water out, added the new substrate, transfered decorations back in, started transfering water and fish back into 30gallon, topped off the water level. called it good
my tank isnt heavily planted... just some java ferns and moss and marimo balls... nothing that lives in the substrate.Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates
From http://www.content4reprint.com/hobbi...r-aquarium.htm (just googled "h2s aquarium"):
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is an extremely poisonous gas that smells like rotten eggs, even in small concentrations it can cause a quick death. It is produced during the decay of organic matter that contains sulphur, and by the action of dilute acid on the sulphides (acid aquariums being at risk).
The usual cause in the aquarium is probably one of neglect, by not keeping the substrate clean of dirt and debris, thereby allowing the decay to build up. An early indication of this problem can be a sudden bloom of algae. The poisonous gas affects fishes by binding the iron of the bloods haemoglobin, which blocks the absorption of oxygen; this causes symptoms, which include:
Respiratory problems
Gasping at surface
Unusual colouration of the gills
Regular aquarium maintenance, being sure to clean all debris from the substrate, will prevent the problem arising."Millennium hand and shrimp!"Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates
how do you recommend cleaning or siphoning the substrate in a planted tank?Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
well yesterday i went to megans and picked up some new substrate.. which i love..and a new addition to the tank..pics to come when he stops hiding and being shy.... heres some before and after photos of the tank..
before
now!!
i think its a huge improvement.. coments welcome..Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
NICEComment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
The plants look fantastic. What a contrast, very natural.Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
Very nice :) It looks great :)
What fish do Jesper have
180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
110 Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
58 S. Decorus
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret ThatcherComment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
hey zulaab is that a electric yellow cichlid fry in your avator?? its so cute..Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
The Avatar is a Lemon Cichlid -- Neolamprologus leleupi. The Electric Yellow is a Labidochromis caeruleus.
The picture in the avatar is a juvenile.
The Lemon Cichlids is a fish from Tanganyika and the Electric Yellow is from Lake Malawi.
I have them both, but they live in separate tanks.
If you look on my website (see signature) the lemon's live in the 58g tank and the Electric Yellow in the 75g. This might change soon, depending on what is going to happen here soon.
What fish do Jesper have
180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
110 Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
58 S. Decorus
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret ThatcherComment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
what a wealth of knowledge... looks cute... i want fry!!! lolComment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
well last night my hob filter started making alot of noise and i was scared to let it keep running so i unplugged it and cleaned it out really well..put it all back together and its still making alot of noise..so i am going to have to buy a new filter.. what do you guys recommend for a hob?? for a planted 10 gallon?? the one i have is a aqua clear and it keeps my tank crystal clear.. is there a better hob??Comment
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Re: wanting to change substrates DID IT!!!!!
You can't go wrong with an Aqua Clear, and the AC is probably your best bet on a smaller tank like a 10 gallon.
CFTruth is the cement that holds the bricks and stones of a sane and civilized society together. Remove the former and the latter will crumble.Comment
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