New Aquarium, Question About Decorations/Gravel

BEARitone

I just started a 10 Gallon freshwater tank. When I bought the tank I got some brightly colored gravel that is fairly large and I am regretting it. I would like to eventually get some live plants and I would also like some darker gravel so the fish can really shine.

However I am concerned about replacing the gravel. To my understanding it holds quite a bit of the good bacteria needed for the tank's cycle. The tank was set-up for 48 hours then I added 2 Platties and 1 Dalmation Molly, then I added 2 more Platties. So it has only been about 4 days since starting the tank, I am wondering how detrimental it would be to replace the gravel or how to go about it.


Probably a pretty basic question but I have not seen a clear answer yet, I bought a neat porous stone at the Aquarium supply store today and I am wondering if it should be rinsed with tap water before adding it to the tank or will rinsing it with tap water add chlorine to the tank.


Thank you

Calmwaters

Ok first I don't think the tank has been set up long enough for it to effect it one way or another if you switch out the gravel now. I would suggest going ahead and doing it and at the same time getting as many real plants as you can afford and put them in there it will make the cycle alot easier on the fish. Also you should get yourself a test kit for your water the API is the best one. Do you know about the cycleing of the tank? If not please read up on it here:A Beginner's Guide to the Freshwater Aquarium Cycle
Also you can rinse the rock you bought in the tab water and it will be fine.

Inga

I switched my gravel out without issue. I took my time doing it and was very careful so as not to upset anything else. I am sure there is a bit of the old gravel in there but it is well covered by the newer stuff.

BEARitone

Awesome, that is what I figured but I didn't want to do it without checking first with some more experienced folks. I definitely would like to put in some easy low-light plants to ease the cycle and improve the appearance of the tank.

Yeah I have read about the cycling process(from a few sources actually haha) and plan on getting a testing kit in the next few days.


Thanks for the advice

Calmwaters

Lets see if you like I could suggest some easy low light plants for you. Also if you are going to change the substrate any way I would like to suggest Eco Complete it is for plants and has bacteria in it that the fish need. It works great and is very pretty in the tank. They have it at Petco for $15.99 a bag which is the cheapest I have found it.
Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate at PETCO

BEARitone

Yeah that would be awesome. To be honest the fellow at the pet store was not particularly helpful with finding some plants even though he was a nice guy, so I am left to my own research and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

That substrate looks great, that will definitely be what I get. Can I still remove waste from the top with a gravel vacuum or is there a different method with a finer substrate?

Calmwaters

Yes you can still vacum the gravel just like regular gravel. When you have plants you do not want to stir up the gravel around the bottom of the plants and do not stick the vacum down in the gravel just along the top level. About any plant from these groups are low light aponogetons, cryptocorynes, Anubias, aquatic ferns, and most sword plants are also low light and easy to care for. There is an online place that alot of us on here have ordered from that is alot cheaper than getting them at the store and is a really good place with great plants and customer service. Its Aquarium Plants Pond Plants From Sweet Aquatics they even have packages that you can mix and match plants. If you place an order for one of the packages they will then contact you to help you chose which plants you want that will work with you light and water. I have orderd from them a couple times and have always been really pleased they also have some good deals on driftwood if you are looking for some.

BEARitone

Wow, thank you so much. The prices are definitely appealing.

I think I will run out and grab some of the nutrient rich substrate and 2-3 plants to start tomorrow because I don't think I can wait, haha. Then I will order a few.




gosh I wish I bought a 30g tank I just want more more more, haha. My hunny is out of town though and I think coming back to this will be less of a shock than 30g...

Calmwaters

LOL MTS (muliple tank syndrom) all ways starts with just one tank. Please be sure to post pictures I love seeing everybodys tanks.

BEARitone

Well, I woke up excited today. After a little work I had pilled up I went out to 3 pet shops and then back to the first. I really really wanted to get some of the suggested substrate but I chickened out because I worried about it clouding my water and since I already have fish in I did not want to hurt them. I bought some substrate that looked about in between gravel and sand(plus I bought some fertilizer tablets that go in the substrate) and 2 Dwarf Sword plants.

I also wandered into the lighting section and bought some florescent light bulbs with a regular socket to mount on my hood, an aquarium background, and maybe took a little peek at 30-50 gallon tanks...

When I got home I washed the substrate and let it sit in a little water with some anti-chlorination solution while I took out my gravel out net by net. Then I added the new stuff net by net.

With the new gravel, new lighting, plants and everything all set up I am 100x times happier with my tank(and I was already really happy to boot!). The water is a little bit cloudy now, but I am hoping as it filters and settles it will clear up. There is a lot more that I want to do with it but I really feel on the right track now.

Thanks again to this whole forum for all the awesome information.

Before:

IMGP2148 by PenguinsUnlimited, on Flickr

After:

IMGP2149 by PenguinsUnlimited, on Flickr