Re-Using gravel ?

bsmith · 06-15-2005, 08:53 PM

ok i have my old gravel that i used and it has all that algea and whatever, so i hear i should keep that for my new setup, but im moving and have to get rid of the water, im going to move in a month or so, can i take out all or most of the water and will the gravel still br the same and have all those good things i need? or can i at least take out most of it and leave just enough to cover the rocks ? thanks !

maxpayne_lhp · 06-15-2005, 09:10 PM

As you take out the water, for long enough, the algea will die, I think. I'm not sure about the bacteria. Why dun we thin about a fishless settings? Where you still keep the gravel ready at disposal for next month. I'm not sure cause this is kinda new situation.

Damon · 06-15-2005, 10:39 PM

Depending on how long you let it sit without oxygen will determine how long the bacteria will live. While they can live anerobically, they do much better with more oxygen (thus the reasoning for wet dry filters).

bsmith · 06-16-2005, 12:02 AM

so can i let it sit in the tank with an inch of water in the tank over the gravel, it is just a little strange having a tank working that i know i am going to have to empty in a month and have no fish in !
so what should i do to keep the "good stuff" of the gravel and get rid of most of the 40gallons sitting around doing nothing ?
or should i just empty it out and take a little longer to cycle the tank once i move ?

MiSo · 06-16-2005, 01:29 AM

bacteria needs a food souce and oxygenated water.

**Fishfirst** · 06-16-2005, 03:12 AM

more so a food source such as a raw shrimp or your culture will crash.

**TheOldSalt** · 06-16-2005, 01:44 PM

Your gravel will ship better if you keep it very damp, but not submerged.
How far are you going and how long will it take to travel? Will you be able to get to the gravel enroute?

bsmith · 06-16-2005, 04:48 PM

oh im moving inside my apartment complex, not shipping or anything, so i should just leave a little water in there for now ?

Mr Aquarium · 06-18-2005, 09:10 AM

If that is all the farther your moving, why not just leave it set up tell your ready to go, then drain it, move it, save 5 or 10 gallons of the water in buckets and dump it in when you get it over there, that is what I would do.......
Move your stuff first or move the tank first, just do the tank when you move it, pretty simple..
No reason to drain it now and have to go through a whole new cycle when the time comes.

bsmith · 06-18-2005, 11:01 AM

but all my fish died, thats why i am thinking about draining it, im not sure why they died either, so i dont know if whatever killed them is still in the tank or gravel or if i should clean it all and then cycle it again, i dont know !

Damon · 06-18-2005, 01:09 PM

IF your fish all died, I suggest washing and rinsing the gravel. Let dry for a few days (in the sun preferrably). Wash the tank with bleach and let it sit in the sun for a few days. Re-rinse both and you should be set.

bsmith · 06-18-2005, 09:54 PM

bleach ? i thought that was bad to use ? also what about windex ?

06-15-2005, 08:53 PM	#1
bsmith fish n00b Join Date: May 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 406	Re-Using gravel ? ok i have my old gravel that i used and it has all that algea and whatever, so i hear i should keep that for my new setup, but im moving and have to get rid of the water, im going to move in a month or so, can i take out all or most of the water and will the gravel still br the same and have all those good things i need? or can i at least take out most of it and leave just enough to cover the rocks ? thanks ! __________________ * 40 Gallon BR Tank * 2 Blue Ram 2 AngelFish (gold & marble) 4 Green Cory 3 Neon Tetra 1 Pleco 4 ghost shrimp 1 Golden Apple Snail * 10 Gallon Tank * 2 juvi Albino Cory Cats 4 Neon Tetras http://community.webshots.com/user/bsmith000

06-15-2005, 09:10 PM	#2
maxpayne_lhp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Michigan Age: 20 Posts: 2,174	As you take out the water, for long enough, the algea will die, I think. I'm not sure about the bacteria. Why dun we thin about a fishless settings? Where you still keep the gravel ready at disposal for next month. I'm not sure cause this is kinda new situation. __________________ ~Nam Nguyen~

06-15-2005, 10:39 PM	#3
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,971	Depending on how long you let it sit without oxygen will determine how long the bacteria will live. While they can live anerobically, they do much better with more oxygen (thus the reasoning for wet dry filters). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

06-16-2005, 12:02 AM	#4
bsmith fish n00b Join Date: May 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 406	so can i let it sit in the tank with an inch of water in the tank over the gravel, it is just a little strange having a tank working that i know i am going to have to empty in a month and have no fish in ! so what should i do to keep the "good stuff" of the gravel and get rid of most of the 40gallons sitting around doing nothing ? or should i just empty it out and take a little longer to cycle the tank once i move ? __________________ * 40 Gallon BR Tank * 2 Blue Ram 2 AngelFish (gold & marble) 4 Green Cory 3 Neon Tetra 1 Pleco 4 ghost shrimp 1 Golden Apple Snail * 10 Gallon Tank * 2 juvi Albino Cory Cats 4 Neon Tetras http://community.webshots.com/user/bsmith000

06-16-2005, 03:12 AM	#6
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,704 Blog Entries: 6	more so a food source such as a raw shrimp or your culture will crash. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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06-16-2005, 01:29 AM	#5
MiSo Ballin' Alan Join Date: May 2005 Age: 27 Posts: 146	bacteria needs a food souce and oxygenated water.

06-16-2005, 01:44 PM	#7
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,534	Your gravel will ship better if you keep it very damp, but not submerged. How far are you going and how long will it take to travel? Will you be able to get to the gravel enroute?

06-16-2005, 04:48 PM	#8
bsmith fish n00b Join Date: May 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 406	oh im moving inside my apartment complex, not shipping or anything, so i should just leave a little water in there for now ? __________________ * 40 Gallon BR Tank * 2 Blue Ram 2 AngelFish (gold & marble) 4 Green Cory 3 Neon Tetra 1 Pleco 4 ghost shrimp 1 Golden Apple Snail * 10 Gallon Tank * 2 juvi Albino Cory Cats 4 Neon Tetras http://community.webshots.com/user/bsmith000

06-18-2005, 09:10 AM	#9
Mr Aquarium Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Age: 43 Posts: 499	If that is all the farther your moving, why not just leave it set up tell your ready to go, then drain it, move it, save 5 or 10 gallons of the water in buckets and dump it in when you get it over there, that is what I would do....... Move your stuff first or move the tank first, just do the tank when you move it, pretty simple.. No reason to drain it now and have to go through a whole new cycle when the time comes.

06-18-2005, 11:01 AM	#10
bsmith fish n00b Join Date: May 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 406	but all my fish died, thats why i am thinking about draining it, im not sure why they died either, so i dont know if whatever killed them is still in the tank or gravel or if i should clean it all and then cycle it again, i dont know ! __________________ * 40 Gallon BR Tank * 2 Blue Ram 2 AngelFish (gold & marble) 4 Green Cory 3 Neon Tetra 1 Pleco 4 ghost shrimp 1 Golden Apple Snail * 10 Gallon Tank * 2 juvi Albino Cory Cats 4 Neon Tetras http://community.webshots.com/user/bsmith000

06-18-2005, 01:09 PM	#11
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,971	IF your fish all died, I suggest washing and rinsing the gravel. Let dry for a few days (in the sun preferrably). Wash the tank with bleach and let it sit in the sun for a few days. Re-rinse both and you should be set. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

06-18-2005, 09:54 PM	#12
bsmith fish n00b Join Date: May 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 406	bleach ? i thought that was bad to use ? also what about windex ? __________________ * 40 Gallon BR Tank * 2 Blue Ram 2 AngelFish (gold & marble) 4 Green Cory 3 Neon Tetra 1 Pleco 4 ghost shrimp 1 Golden Apple Snail * 10 Gallon Tank * 2 juvi Albino Cory Cats 4 Neon Tetras http://community.webshots.com/user/bsmith000

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