Changing Substrate?

craigj

craigj

Member
I currently have some terrible looking dolamite gravel in one of my small FO tanks and was wondering if taking it out and putting in CC would hurt the water conditions? Could I possibly put the sand over the top of it or would taking it out and then putting the sand in be ok?
 
K

krustytheclownfish

Guest
Depends what your filtration is like. If your main means of filtration is a UGF, then taking it all out at once would not be wise. If you have other main means, then it may not matter much. Some people do it in steps, like a third at a time. If your switching anyways, I'd go with ls, not cc. Go with Nature's Ocean ls(which they sell at this site) or something similar and then you won't have to worry about a recycle because it has the beneficial bacteria in it already. Also, do a search of this bb and you'll find more info. about switching substrates.
 
K

krustytheclownfish

Guest
Go to Package Deals and scroll down about half way. The ls, called Nature's Ocean, is right below the lr. It has the good bacteria in it, but no critters. Those have to be ordered separately. HTH
 
jimi

jimi

Active Member
You can also use Southdown tropical playsand for $3.84 a bag compared to $20 for Natures own or better yet mix the two. Depending on where you live southdown is available at Home ***** .
 
justlooking

justlooking

Member
How does the southdown sand look? Does it look natural mixed with the natures ocean sand? I assume the southdown will turn live also? What sort of mix should I use? And could I still get a shrimp culture to grow in it ? $4 a bag is alot better then 30
 
R

red lobster

Guest
how much live rock and or other substrate harbouring the precious waste converting freinds of ours?
I would'nt recomend mixing sand with larger granuals because gravity and fluid motion will sort large to the top.
but it can be done.
I have replaced my crushed coral with crushed shells with the fish still in my 120 gal. I take a super large 1.5 inch diam hose & siphon all the cc out. and place the crushed shell in with no problem. course I have 120 lbs of crushed rocks , sinterd glass material in my canister to provide the surfaces I need.
switching to a fine subtrate I would break down the tank. I'll probably switch to a sand bed soon too though.
I'll keep you posted
 
jimi

jimi

Active Member
Southdown looks great. Exactly the same as natures own. I would use a 1 to 3 ratio 1 being natures own or good live sand 3 being southdown.
 
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