Changing Gravel

AJinNY · 04-19-2008, 10:12 PM

I was never loving my gravel.
It started out white, since medicating the tank, many of the stones turned green and Im not sure that will go away.

When I change gravel can I just do so in one full swoop? I mean, the beneficial bacteria is in the filter media, so this shouldnt disturb things....or will it?

When I put the new gravel in, should I throw a few stone of the old gravel in too toget the bacteria growing quicker?

sasquatch · 04-19-2008, 11:14 PM

is the gravel set up as an undergravel filter? if it is changing it all at once will create a problem

AJinNY · 04-19-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

is the gravel set up as an undergravel filter? if it is changing it all at once will create a problem

the gravel is on the bottom and the water goes through slats on the bottom which gets pumped up to the top which THEN goes through the filter medium....the filter is on top, gravel on bottom, so then it shouldnt be a problem, right?

or just in case should i throw a pack of biospira in when i change the gravel?

sasquatch · 04-20-2008, 12:17 AM

Jinny is the gravel sitting on a raised plastic grid?

Jeremy0322 · 04-20-2008, 01:58 AM

Have you thought going to sand. Gravel can collect detritus and sand looks prettier in my opinion.

PEMfish · 04-20-2008, 07:12 PM

Can't use sand with a under gravel filter. Do the change completely and slowly. In 3 parts +/-, be sure to not mix the gravel.

ramora · 05-13-2008, 08:18 PM

In theory you could use sand if you use a gravel tidy over gravel and put sand on top. also I would consider a canister filter much more efficient also
with live plants much easier to camoflouge. I have a fluval 404 that all it needs is a new impeller cover and a few new suction cups new pads,the bio balls i'll throw in for free.

04-19-2008, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
AJinNY Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 722 View Gallery Karma Komment	Changing Gravel I was never loving my gravel. It started out white, since medicating the tank, many of the stones turned green and Im not sure that will go away. When I change gravel can I just do so in one full swoop? I mean, the beneficial bacteria is in the filter media, so this shouldnt disturb things....or will it? When I put the new gravel in, should I throw a few stone of the old gravel in too toget the bacteria growing quicker?

04-19-2008, 11:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Changing Gravel is the gravel set up as an undergravel filter? if it is changing it all at once will create a problem

04-20-2008, 12:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Changing Gravel Jinny is the gravel sitting on a raised plastic grid?

04-20-2008, 01:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jeremy0322 Tridacna maxima Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 4,753 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Changing Gravel Have you thought going to sand. Gravel can collect detritus and sand looks prettier in my opinion. __________________ UNCW 2011 -Marine Biology Major -Oceanography Minor The old 90 Gallon Build r.i.p Only after the last tree's cut And the last river poisoned Only after the last fish is caught Will you find that money cannot be eaten....

04-20-2008, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
PEMfish Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 3,048 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Changing Gravel Can't use sand with a under gravel filter. Do the change completely and slowly. In 3 parts +/-, be sure to not mix the gravel. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

05-13-2008, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
ramora Ricordea Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: albert lea minnesota Posts: 197 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Changing Gravel In theory you could use sand if you use a gravel tidy over gravel and put sand on top. also I would consider a canister filter much more efficient also with live plants much easier to camoflouge. I have a fluval 404 that all it needs is a new impeller cover and a few new suction cups new pads,the bio balls i'll throw in for free. __________________ Nano reef Club

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