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Can anyone tell me how to change the substrate of a tank? I have a 10 gallon with 6 serpae tetras. Right now I have marbles, but I want to go with something more traditional and natural.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Are you thinking of trying a planted tank or you just want a change from the marbles? If you've ever considered going with a planted tank now would be the time to get the type of substrate you want right from the start .

If you are thinking planted you can go with anything from regular pea gravel (found at landscapers or a hardware store) to the more expensive plant substrates such as flourite or eco complete. If you're half way in the middle most hardware and garden stores sell Shultz's aquatic plant soil for around $5. I've got it in my ten and the plants dont mind it at all!.

Now as for changing the substrate. It should be done carefully as that's where most of your biofilter is. Since you've got marbles in it it might actually be easier rather than harder. Once you have the new substrate what you want to do is remove fish and filters to a seperate bucket or container, this will allow you plenty of working time without worrying about stressing the fish or killing the bacteria in your filter. When you do start lifting substrate there's always lots of mulm floating around that the fish try to eat and the filter gets full of.

Remove your old substrate to a shallow bowl or a pair of clean nylon stockings then let it sit in the bottom of the bucket of water your fish are in. Let any mulm floating around in the tank settle then add your new (RINSED!) substrate. Once everything has settled again replace fish and filters. Add the old substrate that's in the bowl or nylons back into the tank for a few (3-4) weeks while the new substrate developes its bacterial colonies. That will help prevent a minicycle. You can also do a dose of Cycle or Biospira if you have some.

^_^

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."