Can You Replace the Aquarium Gravel With the Fish in the Tank?
A fish aquarium really is not complete without the gravel on the bottom of the tank. Gravel keeps beneficial bacteria alive, and soothes and orients fish. You can replace gravel with the fish already in the tank, with a few considerations.
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Removing Gravel
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Replacing gravel with fish already in the tank tends to be somewhat invasive--it will disturb the fish. However, it can be done safely. You will need to scoop out the gravel you want to replace carefully, making sure not to remove fish as you work. Dump the gravel into a waiting bucket, then vacuum the aquarium bottom to remove waste. You can leave a little gravel, if desired, to retain bacteria attached to it.
Replacing Gravel
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Make sure you clean any new gravel well. Never use soap or chemicals as this can kill your fish. Buy gravel sold specifically for aquariums and simply rinse well before adding. Consider adding by scoopfuls to avoid harming your fish as you pour it in. The closer you are to the bottom of the tank when you pour it in, the safer your fish will be. Follow by replacing plants and other decorations.
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Considerations
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In general, you should allow for about one pound of gravel per gallon of water, or about an inch or two of gravel. This figure can vary according to gravel size; use less for finer gravel, which does not allow bacteria to penetrate as well. Monitor your aquarium closely for a couple weeks after replacing your gravel, checking ammonia and nitrates/nitrites to make sure the new gravel is doing well.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit aquarium fish 4 image by cherie from Fotolia.com
