Can I replace my gravel all at once or do i have to do it gradually?

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DavidK4839

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I have a 2 month old Oscar tank and I don't like the gravel I have because it doesn't bring out his colors.Can I just change the gravel all at once, there is some gravel in there that came from my old Goldfish tank but not enough to cover the tank, can I remove all of the unwanted gravel and add the new gravel instantly? I am willing to do it gradually if it is better for the fish, I also have some bio bacteria that builds up a colony of good bacteria, so it won't be so bad.FIY the tank is fully cycled and established.Also, what color gravel would you recommend for a tiger oscar ( 2-3 inches ) I want something that is not fake or corny but something that will really look beautiful in my tank, I have 4-6 big brown rocks and 3 green plants, so would black ( I might not be able to see him very well ) or like a brownish orange color, please give me your insight.I am going next week so it is not too urgent I just like to know everything I need to know before I do something.Thanks for all your help!!
 
This sounds like quite a bit of work! Plus you will probably throw your tank off..but if you have to do it, do it all at once. I would, if I really couldn't stand the gravel, take out some of the offending gravel and cover it with the new. If done gently, it might not stress the fish out too much. I always like the more natural looking stone. But I really would re-think doing this.
 
you can do it all at once. rince the gravel before adding it to the tank. if you want to bring out his colours it may be better acheived by changing the tanks background. a blue background will look natural and will make the fish show more. if you are going for a natural looking gravel, try a multicoloured one made from natural stones. after the gravel is all rinced then take the fish and put him in a bucket for the time it takes to exchange gravels. it shouldn't take more than three quarters of an hour maxALSO changing your gravel will in NO WAY effect your tanks cycle. there are some bacteria colonies in the gravel itself, but for the most part they are in the bio-material part of the filter. those are the bacteria that do most of the work and will keep your tank cycled regardless of what you do to the subterate. you could even go bare bottom. your tank will still be cycled.
 
Have you considered using sand? I personally prefer the look of sand in tanks, more natural looking. I used regular kid's play sand from Lowe's, it's a lighter colored sand not quite white but light. Pool filter sand also works, and it's my understanding that's a tad more brown/tan colored. And, you don't have to worry about the oscar accidentally swallowing the sand like they can with gravel/rocks when they move stuff around. It's actually easier to maintain as well, since the waste and other particles will lay on top of the sand. Just a thought....If you do go with another gravel, and your tank is fully cycled and all, just go ahead and replace all the gravel at once. Most of your beneficial bacteria is contained in the filter media anyway, so you shouldn't have a problem. Just be sure to keep the filter running during the process. What I would do/have done in the past, move the fish to a rubbermaid type container/bin with some tank water, and attach the filter onto the side and plug it in. Drain most of your tank water out and be sure to do a pretty good gravel vacuum as well to cut down on the amount of debris floating around. Remove the gravel, add your new gravel and then refill the tank. Let the stuff settle for a bit, then add your filter back to the tank and let it run for a little while. Add some of the new tank water to the container with the oscar so he can adjust to any ph or temperature difference, then after about 30 minutes of doing that add him back to the tank. Also, plan on him sulking or laying around the bottom of the tank for a day or so, since they don't deal with change all that well :).
 
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