Can I change substrate?

[VisibleClownage]

I'm still cycling this tank which has gravel as substrate, and i really want to change it into sand.

I am afraid that i will remove too much beneficial bacteria and it will disrupt the cycle.

 

[ReefRusty]

There is only minimal bacteria in the sand is more your dense surface like the rocks. I would say it's fine to change. Make sure you rinse your sand with tap water for a hour or so and before putting it in the tank gove a good rinse with RODI water x 2 times. This will eliminate/minimise the cloudiness when you put it in the tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

much better to do it now while the tank is cycling, rather than let the idea fester in your mind and then trying it out in a few months from now. Sand offers many more advantages than gravel, and there are some fishes/animals/snails that you won't be able to get because of the gravel, so if you keep the gravel, you'll always be thinking to change it. Might as well do it now,

 

[davidcalgary29]

Does sand really contain "minimal" bacteria populations, though? And you'd think that some gravel, and particularly crushed coral, would have a surface area (and populations of bacteria) far greater than something like oolite.

But I certainly agree that, if you're going to change substrates, now is the time to do it.

 

[brandon429]

EMERGENCY - Substrate change

Hi all, I’m really confused and need advice. I currently have crushed coral in my flu all evo 13.5g which due to a month in hospital the sand bed got so badly stained I can’t clean it and it looks gross. It’s a mixed tank with a clown, fire fish and 2 cardinals. I’ve ordered caribsea live pink...

www.reef2reef.com

It does remove bacteria agreed but the reason it's ok is because those bacteria are expendable, in all tanks, even 15 year old tanks. Live rock bacteria = we need