adding dirt to an established tank?

allaboutfish

allaboutfish

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Jul 12, 2011
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memphis, tn
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johnathon dunn
i want to add dirt to my established 55 gallon. how should i do this without killing any fish? i have rams in this tank along with angels.
thanks

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I have never done this but Im sure you know that most of the beneficial bacteria is in the substrate and filter so with that being said how about mixing some of the old substrate in with the dirt. Youll still have the bacteria from the filter and with a small mix of the old substrate in with the dirt might get the good bacteria growing quicker. Just a thought tho
 
Mix the dirt with a little water (enough to make a thick mud). Pour it in a shallow pan to a depth of about 1" or so and freeze it. You can do several smaller ones or one large one and cut it into squares (6X6", 8X8", etc).You can then take the frozen flat squares of dirt and place them in the tank by shimmying them under the substrate or moving the substrate aside and placing the frozen dirt on the tank bottom and recovering them with the substrate. Work quickly as the frozen dirt will begin to thaw immediately in the tank water.
 
Slappy*McFish said:
Mix the dirt with a little water (enough to make a thick mud). Pour it in a shallow pan to a depth of about 1" or so and freeze it. You can do several smaller ones or one large one and cut it into squares (6X6", 8X8", etc).You can then take the frozen flat squares of dirt and place them in the tank by shimmying them under the substrate or moving the substrate aside and placing the frozen dirt on the tank bottom and recovering them with the substrate. Work quickly as the frozen dirt will begin to thaw immediately in the tank water.
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How are you guys so smart. That is so genius and simple. I never think of simple fixes like that.

I needed to know this too for a future planted tank that I want to look a certain way and this tip is going to save me a lot of hassle

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i would probably mess up. plus there are rocks how would i shape it around them.l?

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Just temporarily move the rocks out of the way.
 
It would be much easier to do than you think. Just be aware that ice is normally more buoyant than water so this method can be tricky. The key is to not use too much water and don't use tap water with a lot of dissolved gases. Use your tank water to make them and bury them well under the substrate...use rocks, stones, driftwood, etc to help hold them in place if you notice they're too buoyant. This normally isn't an issue as the soil usually weighs the ice down enough but you can always freeze some stones in with the mixture, as well. Just wait until it melts before you try to re-plant the substrate. ;)
 
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