Adding Substrate

bf2king

Ok i got more gravel and some sand to add in with my gravel as it came to my attention i didnt have enough gravel in my tank. 1st off i would like to know how someonewould go about adding this. I was thinking of useing my 55 gallon that i have empty to put the water and fish in there and then adding the substrate. After that putting the wat and fish back in the tank. would that be how u would do it?

2nd off i want to make sure the substrate i have is a good kind for my fish (see signature). 1st type is Top Fin Premium Quality Aquarium Gravel (solid black and small stone variety), Next Is Tidal Marine Substrate but i read on the bag "tropical aquaria" would this work for a freshwater tank?

fish_4_all

A funnel and a plastic pipe to get the sand to the bottom without too much a mess after it has been rinsed extrememly well first. the gravel the same way but just to get it in place more than for clean.

I must have missed your other thread though, how much substrate do you have already? And are you going to have a planted tank?

bf2king

I have probably 1/2 inch of white/tan gravel and no my silver dollars ate the plant (Java Fern the one they said theyed most likely not eat) i had in there last. Would u say that i would have to remove the fish from the tank to add this? i would rather not do this wrong. So any and all details would be nice.

fish_4_all

I wouldn't remove them, no reason to. Stress to net them, stress to put them in the bucket. Then stress again being put back, no need. I have added and changed substrates with fish in the tnak and nenver had a problem. Even adding crushed coral in fairly large amounts.

bf2king

ok i added the gravel and it looks nice and i think they like the black side better then the one not yet coverd.

now one last seemingly stupid question. well actually 2.

How would u wash the sand?

What kind of tube would u use to add the sand?

fish_4_all

Any tube to put it in. As for washing it, put it in a bucket and run a small hose to the bottom so the water flow fast enough to get the dust out but not fast enough so that the sand flies out. Run the water until it is running clear and that will help to keep the tnak from clouding too much.

bf2king

Ok well i added it and my bichirs seem to like their new tank setup.
(added some drift wood and rearnged some decorations[also took some add so i need to find some more "realalistic" decorations.)

Ill post pics of my sand/gravel setup later (as soon as i can find my camera)