putting in plant substrate

penna32 · 05-10-2007, 05:13 PM

how would i be able to put in plant substrate for my 20 gallon tank ?
its already cycled with the fish in my signature .. would there be a way i can slip in some flourite some other plant bed without harming the fish ?

BMueller777 · 05-10-2007, 07:46 PM

I think you'll have to remove the fish and then add the substrate and let it settle down, there will be way too much debris for all those fish to be in, they'll probably be very stressed.

penna32 · 05-10-2007, 09:10 PM

that what i was thinkin but would i put them in like a 5 gallon bucket? or some in my 5 gallon bucket and some in my 10 gallon tank ?

not sure if im gunna do the substrate but i really want a beautiful planted tank

BMueller777 · 05-10-2007, 10:59 PM

If you have a 10g cycled tank I think they'd be great in there. Before you do it though take out some of the 10g water and add some 20g water so they are used to it and won't be as stressed.

As for the flourite, you have several other options, espically if you're going go lo-tech with the planted tank. You'll find it easier and less of a hastle to have a tank with a sand substrate or fine gravel then actual dirt for obvious reasons.

I'll private message you this pretty big page on how to do a planted tank.