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	Replacing Substrate Top Layer
LITTLE_FISH *** Little Fish *** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005	Gang, If you follow my 125G log then you know the current status of this tank, if not here is a short description: The tank contains pea size gravel, ranging in height from maybe 4 inches in the front to about 8 inches in the back, with the bottom 3rd mixed with Laterite. Although the type I bought is called "Deep River" and looks rather dark in the bag, it is much brighter once added to the tank. I am about to do a major overhaul of the tank anyway and I am wondering if the following is feasible: I would like to replace maybe the top 1 inch with smaller gravel that is black. To do so I envision to simply remove 1 inch of existing gravel and add the new one in its place. The tank is heavily planted, but all plants would be uprooted at that point anyway. Also, there are about 100 fish in the tank . What do you think? Will the smaller gravel create dangerous pockets in the larger gravel below? Will it completely sink below the larger gravel, or will it stay at least mixed (which I guess wouldn't look too bad)? Any suggestions and information is greatly appreciated, Ingo Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Posted 30-Jan-2006 17:57
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004	LF, I tried doing something similar a few months ago in my tank pre-redo. Didn't turnout too well. The black will inevitably mix with the other gravel... and it probably won't look so hot. Then again, you'll have so much real estate covered by plants that you may not notice... Nevertheless, if you want the appearance of the top gravel to remain solid black then I don't think it'll work over the long haul. Just remember, every time you add a new plant you're moving gravel around, pushing the top layer down and pulling the bottom layers up. Over time it'll completely mix. Now, if you wanted to mix in a darker colored natural substrate that would be one thing, but black contrasts so much, i can't see it looking better than it does now (which is to say, it looks great now ) If black is what you want your safest bet would be to change out the whole thing... *Back in the saddle!*
Posted 30-Jan-2006 18:08
luvmykrib Fish Addict Posts: 585 Kudos: 256 Votes: 27 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	Ingo, I think the smaller gravel would stay on top if you gravel vac very carefully for the first little while until you are not able to vac anymore. To ensure the smaller stuff stays on top you could add more and mix them together a bit. Say 2" rather than 1"? I am not sure how aggressive with the vac you are, I get right down to the bottom as much as possible, but in the 25 I have very large gravel, there is more danger of pockets developing with the larger gravel than with the small I think. "If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything." -Family Circus
Posted 30-Jan-2006 18:12
LITTLE_FISH *** Little Fish *** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005	Thanks NowherMan6 and luvmykrib, Yeah, I am not doing too much of gravel vacuuming as I don't have real acces to the gravel . Only now after I removed all that Glosso from the front can I actually see my gravel. I guess I basically wouldn't mind if it mixes, but you are right NowherMan6, it might be too much of a contrast. Changing out 2 inches means about 60 pounds , I don't think I want to go that far. Plus I would probably reach the top of the layer that contains the Laterite, and that would create a big mess in the tank. Back to the drawing board. Maybe I can find some darker, albeit not black, gravel on the market. Thanks again, Ingo Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Posted 30-Jan-2006 19:07
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	Edited by tetratech I would like to replace maybe the top 1 inch with smaller gravel that is black Welcome to the dark side If a smaller grain substrate sets initially on top of a larger grain one then the smaller grains will eventually end up on the bottom over time even if you never touch it. The smaller grains work through the porous openings of the larger grain and end up on the bottom. For example eco complete has different grain sizes. The larger grain ends up on top and creates a porous situation that easily allows gases to be exchanged with the plant roots. If I take my net and swipe some gravel off the top what's left looks like black sand. My Scapes
Posted 30-Jan-2006 21:41
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Yes it can be done but as explained it will work its way all through the rest of your substrate and finishing up looking like a salt a pepper look. Not the best look. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 31-Jan-2006 01:27
LITTLE_FISH *** Little Fish *** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005	Gentlemen, Thanks again, I guess it doesn't sound like a feasible solution then. Maybe I look into adding walnut sized, flattened, oval shaped, dark gray stones then, they sell them here as Mexican River Stones. They could look nice if placed strategically along the wood etc. Ingo Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Posted 31-Jan-2006 12:01


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