upgrading tank....substrate question

**Scuba Kid** · 07-09-2005, 01:09 PM

i am buying a new 55 gallon from walmart to replace my old 30. i know the tank will not be cycled, so i would need to add everything from my old tank to the new, including putting on that filter for a while. my question is:

is it neccessary for me to put in the substrate too or will the decor, filter and plants be enough? (i have 2 good size peices of driftwood, 1 large fake driftwood, 1 large fake plant, and some hornwort and java ferns)

i am asking because my current substrate is gravel and i wanted to have a nice sand substrate.

shev · 07-09-2005, 01:30 PM

The substrate will hold a lot of the bacteria as it has a lot of surface area. just put it all in a big bowl/saucer/thingy and put it in your tank. that way no messy taking it out. removing any substrate is a huge pain, and its really bad when you have to seperate it from another.

**Scuba Kid** · 07-09-2005, 01:58 PM

so your saying to just put it in another container for a while, like until the 55 has pretty much developed it's own bacteria?

shev · 07-09-2005, 02:16 PM

yeah, put it in something and put the container on the substrate. after its pretty well established take the bowl out. the more bacteria there is the faster it grows. It may be overkill. thats what I did at least.

**fish_doc** · 07-09-2005, 04:01 PM

Another option is you see if you can use a pair of your moms old nylons. You can put the old gravel in it and lay it right on top of the new gravel. This will seed some of the tank in addition to the filter and decorations. Cut the nylons into small sections and tie off both ends so you dont have a 20lb bag of rock but a few 2 to 3lb bags.

shev · 07-09-2005, 06:13 PM

Thats genius fishdoc. thats what I shoulda done. my stupid fish kept shoveling the gravel into my sand which I had to later take out piece by piece.

**fish_doc** · 07-09-2005, 07:00 PM

Just be sure to make sure your mom dosent need them anymore.

For those of us guys who would get funny looks in the store for buying them you just have to talk with a lisp and tell them sorry but you are not intrested in the casher even though they are very nice people. LOL

07-09-2005, 01:09 PM	#1
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 17 Posts: 4,221	upgrading tank....substrate question i am buying a new 55 gallon from walmart to replace my old 30. i know the tank will not be cycled, so i would need to add everything from my old tank to the new, including putting on that filter for a while. my question is: is it neccessary for me to put in the substrate too or will the decor, filter and plants be enough? (i have 2 good size peices of driftwood, 1 large fake driftwood, 1 large fake plant, and some hornwort and java ferns) i am asking because my current substrate is gravel and i wanted to have a nice sand substrate. __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks Last edited by Scuba Kid; 07-09-2005 at 01:11 PM.

07-09-2005, 01:58 PM	#3
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 17 Posts: 4,221	so your saying to just put it in another container for a while, like until the 55 has pretty much developed it's own bacteria? __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

07-09-2005, 04:01 PM	#5
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,834	Another option is you see if you can use a pair of your moms old nylons. You can put the old gravel in it and lay it right on top of the new gravel. This will seed some of the tank in addition to the filter and decorations. Cut the nylons into small sections and tie off both ends so you dont have a 20lb bag of rock but a few 2 to 3lb bags. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

07-09-2005, 07:00 PM	#7
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,834	Just be sure to make sure your mom dosent need them anymore. For those of us guys who would get funny looks in the store for buying them you just have to talk with a lisp and tell them sorry but you are not intrested in the casher even though they are very nice people. LOL __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

07-09-2005, 01:30 PM	#2
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	The substrate will hold a lot of the bacteria as it has a lot of surface area. just put it all in a big bowl/saucer/thingy and put it in your tank. that way no messy taking it out. removing any substrate is a huge pain, and its really bad when you have to seperate it from another.

07-09-2005, 02:16 PM	#4
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	yeah, put it in something and put the container on the substrate. after its pretty well established take the bowl out. the more bacteria there is the faster it grows. It may be overkill. thats what I did at least.

07-09-2005, 06:13 PM	#6
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	Thats genius fishdoc. thats what I shoulda done. my stupid fish kept shoveling the gravel into my sand which I had to later take out piece by piece.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Important Basics For Sw Newbies.	hail_sniper	Beginner Saltwater	18	03-21-2008 07:57 AM
Question for 10-gallon Tank	Mr Fish	General Freshwater	4	09-29-2005 07:08 PM
Breaking down tank for move - multiple questions	karatelovr	General Freshwater	11	07-26-2005 04:37 AM
Newbie here. Question on tank cycling	JP	General Freshwater	9	04-28-2005 11:58 AM
New-ish planted tank	samster	General Freshwater	1	03-15-2005 09:40 PM