Swithcing from white sand to black sand substrate

[FreshyFresh]

To remove substrate, all I do is shop vac it all out. So quick, easy and mess free. Start with a (very) clean shop vac and you can easily re-use that substrate right away. I'd still give it a rinse with dechlorinated water anyway..

I like the above suggestion of adding new substrate by the container full and carefully getting it to the bottom.

Also like said above, I'm not a fan of sand and prefer a very fine gravel.

 

[fishorama]

I've removed pool sand substrate by vacuuming like the loach. I've also used a "kerosene siphon", faster than vac'ing, but it doesn't get it all IME.

I like Joel's shop vac idea, at least for the hard get out last bits. I'm not sure my shop vac would ever be clean enough to consider reusing the substrate without heroic cleaning. I'm not sure what all may have gone into it after almost 40 years. Pesticide contamination would be my big concern.

Like the loach, I have used the careful container method for adding new substrate, maybe 2 cups or so at a time. If it seems to cloud the water, stop, let the dust settle. Then maybe do a WC & add more new the next day. No need to hurry, go slow.

 

[Kmbishop111]

Peacock fern or peacock moss? As I understand it, the fern is a houseplant, not an aquarium plant.

It it fern, and is surviving nicely so far. It was packaged at a LFS as aquatic, but have since seen otherwise?

 

[Kmbishop111]

Cause catching fish and relocating them doesn't stress them? The fish will be just fine if you use the method I described. I have done it myself several times.

I used your method and it worked perfectly! Thank you! Also my pH is down to 7.5 currently.

 

[authmal]

Stable pH is typically more important than "perfect" pH, so if you're getting that easily, and can maintain it great. If not, I would recommend against adding chemicals to change your pH, because missed dosing could cause swings that are detrimental to your fish.

 

[Kmbishop111]

It was running high at 8.5, stopped adding calcium carbonate weekly, changed substrate, doing more PWC and some where in the mix pH is lowered to 7.5. I need to check my tap water again for comparison as it was out of the tap high.