steve_58

I would like to change the substrate in my 55 gallon tank . Is it possible to change it and not have to go through the cycle thing again? I have regular old gravel and want to replace it with regular african cichlid gravel.I found it in a shop packed in water.Anyone ever use it?

MeGustaUnaPez926

You might be able to somehow swap out half the tank one week then do the rest. Or, if you have another empty tank you could stick it in there, to cycle. I don't have experience with this type of gravel though... Good luck!

agabr123

i'm not sure about the gravel, but the best thing to do is put as much of the old gravel into a nylon stocking as you can fit, and then put it in the tank for a month or so to make sure that you give the bacteria enough time to establish in the new gravel.

Lucy

I've never used it, but if you decide to change out hang the old gravel in panty hose and leave it in your tank for at least 2 weeks to give the new stuff time to seed.
I imagine that would take a lot of room so MeGustaUnaPez926's suggestion of doing 1/2 then half is a good idea.

steve_58

Thanks, I think i might just try the half and half thing.