Changing 5 Gal Substrate

Hey yall!
I'm changing my substrate from gravel to Seachem Ecocomplete (I think that's what it's called) and I was just wondering the best way to do it that will be the least stressful for my fish and not cause an ammonia spike. Is it really necessary to take the fish out or to change the substrate in sections?
Thanks

 

I just did mine in sections tonight. Only took my shrimp out, fish stayed in. Work in sections.

 

Definitely sections. The only time I did a full replacement of substrate I put it in a mesh bag inside the tank for a month so it already had a colony of healthy bacteria

 

I've also done it by removing all of the fish into a bucket and an air stone. It only took around 2-3 hours to change the substrate and rescape the tank. I didn't lose any fish from it!

 

I've also done it by removing all of the fish into a bucket and an air stone. It only took around 2-3 hours to change the substrate and rescape the tank. I didn't lose any fish from it!

It's only a 5g, shouldn't take that long. Lol

 

Definitely not haha. My tank was a 55 gal. My point was that they can survive their time in a bucket

 

Keep the fish in. Turn off filter and heater. Remove some of the water, get a unused plastic cup or dish, remove decorations, take out old gravel, put in sand, let settle for about a half hour, turn filter back on.
Should only take about an hour taking your time.
Just thought about this. Depending on the size of your current substrate and if you have a siphon, you can use that to remove the gravel.

 

How long should I wait between sections?

I figure that's probably a little safer seeing as how it's a small tank and small tanks are less stable

 

I personally would feel comfortable switching the substrate all in one go, but if you don't want to 50% at a time should be fine!

 

Your tank is only 5 gallons, why do you need to do it in sections? Do it all at once and get it over and done with, less stressful for the fish. If you are worried about losing BB...dont. 95% of your BB lives in and on your filter.

 

Maaannn!! I already did half yesterday

 

No worries, do the rest today or next time you do a water change