Changing substrate in an established aquarium

[yvonnedono]

I want to change my substrate which is currently eco carib sea. My aquarium is established. If I replace the old substrate with a new one (a different kind) will I cause problems in my aquarium? How is the best way to approach this? I have a 55 gallon planted tank.

 

[86 ssinit]

I recently did this. For me I did a 1/4 of the tank at each 50% water change. While doing water change I removed the tube on the python and stuck the hose right into the eco and removed it with the water. No mess in the tank. Cleaned and added the new substrate. Took me 4water changes and about a month. No problems .

 

[StarGirl]

I recently did this. For me I did a 1/4 of the tank at each 50% water change. While doing water change I removed the tube on the python and stuck the hose right into the eco and removed it with the water. No mess in the tank. Cleaned and added the new substrate. Took me 4water changes and about a month. No problems .

I was wondering if that worked! I saw a video of that a while ago.

 

[macawmatt]

I did half at a time last month. Had a small spike in ammonia after doing the first half of the substrate and waited three weeks before doing the second half. My notoriously high nitrates have since come down, tank looks better and the water parameters are better, win win.

 

[Aprilbeingbasic]

I have recently done this too, only didnt replace just added more substrate (needed a thicker soil layer). Be prepared for a mini cycle crash and cloudy water from bacterial bloom. I did add my fish straight back in and pretty much treating the tank like a fish in cycle, saw nitrites after 24 hours, so the tank knows what to do but I did need to water change when ammonia hit 1ppm. have only done 1 water change but still have 0.25ppm ammonia after 3 days. predicting it will get down to 0 in a few days.
Also some of your plants will melt, I had tonnes of pest snails, wish I had collected some to put back in because nothing is eating my melting plants! I can see snails so know they will be back and booming but i had alot and they were doing a good job cleaning so i should have saved a few.

 

[APColorado]

I've done it several times.

I usually end up placing 4 sponge filters in my tank so they can be seeded with BB (4+ weeks), then I would use large rubbermaid storage containers and place all the inhabitants in the containers and slowing drain the tank and replace the substrate. Once everything is done, I place all the inhabitants in the new tank along with the 4 seeded sponge filter and the original canister filter. This method works for me and haven't had a spike.

If you can wait then I suggest trying this method.

 

[86 ssinit]

I had no problem doing mine. Left the fish in. Got to say I didn’t even get a bio-bloom. My tank is a 90g with 2 filters on it. A tidal 110 and a marineland 350. Had to look at pics. I did it in thirds not quarters. Here’s some pics.

 

[yvonnedono]

thanks for the photos and advice. I like the idea of doing a 1/4 at a time. now for the big question - which substrate to move to? What is best for plant rooting and thriving? I like the look of sand and coral but tan gravel isn't a bad look either. I had gravel when I switched over to eco because the plants weren't rooting in the gravel - but then they didn't root easily in the eco either. I think maybe my gravel was too big. thoughts?

 

[86 ssinit]

I use gravel that is 1/8” -1/4” thick. So the smallest size. You may have to order it. Even after ordering it I still got the 1/4” stuff. But it also works.