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Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:18 pm
by smileysid
Hello all,

I am going to update my 3 feet tank (55Gallon) bottom with DIY substrate. The current tank is planted moderately with good growth through DIY fertz and good lighting-CO2 having inert fine gravels.
Though I want to update it with nutrient rich substrate for carpet plants and others, my major concern is the fishes.
Currently I have Neon tetras, Rummynose, Rosy Barbs, Danios, plecos etc, and they have well settled in the aqua environment. But as, I disturb the tank and update with DIY substrate, Will it effect if I add my fishes back to the tank quickly after the scaping is done?
Currently, I am having only one tank, so, I cant wait for few days to settle the aquarium and plants and then add the fishes.

Give your suggestions.

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:51 pm
by parthapratim22
Yes it will, accidentally you may loose all the fished. Thats not because of the substrate but the ammonia poisoning.

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 4:33 pm
by smileysid
Ammonia due to substrate? I am not going to wash/ rinse the current substrate gravels. Thinking of reusing it as it is along with 50% of the current tank water to retain the biological microorganism at max . Concern is to put a layer of nutrient rich layer in between.
Looking forward for more light on it.

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 6:14 pm
by saikumar
What ever you do add lighter substrate at bottom and heavier substrate on top. It ll hold longer.

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:23 pm
by smileysid
...hold longer to cycle the tank to its fullest?

Rajeev ji, what do u suggest?

Can I put ADA or other premium substrate over the current substrate? Will there still be a problem?

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:38 am
by SCORPIO
smileysid wrote:...hold longer to cycle the tank to its fullest?

Rajeev ji, what do u suggest?

Can I put ADA or other premium substrate over the current substrate? Will there still be a problem?
Dont make a cocktail. You can use branded susbstrate around 3-5 years. But if you mix with DIY, it will not reusable.

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:44 am
by smileysid
If i use branded one then can i put my fishes immediately?

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 2:16 pm
by parthapratim22
Branded soil tank also need to be cycled

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 4:17 pm
by SCORPIO
parthapratim22 wrote:Branded soil tank also need to be cycled
:1

Re: Updating tank with DIY Substrate (Coco-peat, Soilrite-Garden Soil, Fine gravels) and its quick effect on fishes

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:55 am
by saikumar
SCORPIO wrote:
smileysid wrote:...hold longer to cycle the tank to its fullest?

Rajeev ji, what do u suggest?

Can I put ADA or other premium substrate over the current substrate? Will there still be a problem?
Dont make a cocktail. You can use branded susbstrate around 3-5 years. But if you mix with DIY, it will not reusable.
:1

By theory if lighter substrate is below heavier substrate lesser dust will leak into your tank. Most of the Diy substrates are prone to this.