SCUGrad

I got the tank all going with fish, etc. I want to add more gravel. How should I do that? I don't think just pouring it in will be a good idea since I don't want to inadvertently bury fish alive. Should I coincide with a water change?

Tony G.

i just added the gravel . I didnt do anything and it didnt affect my cycle.

SCUGrad

Tony G.:

You mean...you just poured it in there? Not worried about the cycle. Just wondering how you kept from burying the fish alive. I have small fish: neon tetras, guppies and zebra danios.

Tony G.

ooooh
i added it with my fish in there. just pour them out on the other side of the tank. Theyre fast swimmers, but just in case
or you can just get a handful and just spread it out inside the tank

harpua2002

Use a piece of PVC that reaches down to the substrate. Pour your new rinsed gravel down the PVC tube. That way, you can aim the new gravel.

TedsTank

NICE idea with the PVC!!!. I have added gravel using a bowl or mason jar....wash the gravel good, then pour it where you want it, out of the bowl or jar, close to the current substrate.

Beth1965

PVC sounds like a perfect idea.
Beth

Tim Wheatley

PVC is a great idea, but if you cannot get hold of any I would not worry. I have found that although my danios seem attracted to my hands when they're in the water, they are quick enough to get out of the way when they have to - they're also strong enough to move a few bits of gravel if you happened to be unlucky enough to hit them.

Basically, pour slowly in one place, they'll avoid that area of the tank.

As for the water change, you should obviously clean the gravel thoroughly until the water runs clear. You're also going to have to take some water out to put the gravel in (or you'll end up with a wet floor), so doing a water change at the same time (shortly after pouring the gravel sounds like a great idea, especially if it helps you to get rid of some of the cloudiness missed during washing.

pepetj

I agree with you on doing this right as you get ready for a water change. I just lower the tank water volume, turn off the filtration system and carefully place new substrate in and rearrange as I go. As long as you don't take too long doing this (say 20 minutes) your cycle shouldn't be disrupted.

Caution with fish is never excessive. I have accidentally killed two fish (once by firmly placing a corner filter, another by accidentally dropping a somewhat heavy water pump that was resting in the middle bracket: both fish died instantly and I felt awful). Also be careful so that the gravel doesn't hit directly into the glass. Not all tanks come with tempered glass.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo