Chris_Homan
Member
Hi All,
I have a 90l rimless tank that has been running for over three years. But despite root tabs, I feel that my substrate is just too thin, somewhere between 1 and 2 cm deep. Plants aren’t rooting well and I feel that I need to increase the substrate depth. My current substrate (forgot which brand) is topped with a thin layer of gravel. My fish are 3 German rams, 8 cardinal tetra, 5 penguin tetra, four H. Rosacea, 2 otocinclus. Water is normally 100% RO with added Seachem Equilibrium. Filter is a Fluval canister.
My plan is to add new substrate in one day and add livestock back to the tank the same day
1. Keep fish in 20l bucket with tank water, put heater in to maintain temperature. Add an airstone just in case. Add all stem plants to this bucket as well. Rosetta plants (crypts, swords) to go in an unheated bucket with tank water.
2. Remove remaining water from tank and remove as much gravel as possible but keep old substrate.
3. Add hardscape
4. Add Tropica ‘plant growth substrate’ to desired height, aiming for about 8cm at highest. Mix old and new substrate a bit so the bacteria are mixed up as well. Top off with gravel towards the front of the tank.
5. Fill with RO water to about 80% and replant the plants.
6. Start heating to same temperature as the fish in the bucket and get the filter and running again.
7. Wait until mayor cloudiness has settled and water is at right temperature. Add some store-bought beneficial bacteria to the tank just in case.
8. Put the fish back in and hope for the best.
Now, is this doable and safe? Are there issues I have to be aware off? Is Tropica substrate the right choice for this? I guess I will have to follow this up with a water change within a few days, yes?
Any tips, suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks,
Chris
I have a 90l rimless tank that has been running for over three years. But despite root tabs, I feel that my substrate is just too thin, somewhere between 1 and 2 cm deep. Plants aren’t rooting well and I feel that I need to increase the substrate depth. My current substrate (forgot which brand) is topped with a thin layer of gravel. My fish are 3 German rams, 8 cardinal tetra, 5 penguin tetra, four H. Rosacea, 2 otocinclus. Water is normally 100% RO with added Seachem Equilibrium. Filter is a Fluval canister.
My plan is to add new substrate in one day and add livestock back to the tank the same day
1. Keep fish in 20l bucket with tank water, put heater in to maintain temperature. Add an airstone just in case. Add all stem plants to this bucket as well. Rosetta plants (crypts, swords) to go in an unheated bucket with tank water.
2. Remove remaining water from tank and remove as much gravel as possible but keep old substrate.
3. Add hardscape
4. Add Tropica ‘plant growth substrate’ to desired height, aiming for about 8cm at highest. Mix old and new substrate a bit so the bacteria are mixed up as well. Top off with gravel towards the front of the tank.
5. Fill with RO water to about 80% and replant the plants.
6. Start heating to same temperature as the fish in the bucket and get the filter and running again.
7. Wait until mayor cloudiness has settled and water is at right temperature. Add some store-bought beneficial bacteria to the tank just in case.
8. Put the fish back in and hope for the best.
Now, is this doable and safe? Are there issues I have to be aware off? Is Tropica substrate the right choice for this? I guess I will have to follow this up with a water change within a few days, yes?
Any tips, suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks,
Chris