Replacing Gravel - Alter H2O chemistry?

If I want to change the color of my gravel, will I alter the water
chemistry? Are there a lot of good things (water wise)
going on under the gravel?

Just wondering if I will face a bloom of some kind if I take it out all
at once. And if I'm gonna change color, I don't really have a choice.

I have 2 comets and dark red gravel just does not set them off.

color suggestions? was thinking black or a light color.

thx - Craig

In article , crw59
@earthlink.net says...
If I want to change the color of my gravel, will I alter the water
chemistry? Are there a lot of good things (water wise)
going on under the gravel?

Just wondering if I will face a bloom of some kind if I take it out all
at once. And if I'm gonna change color, I don't really have a choice.

?? Why no choice??
It's best not to remove it all at once, since it does provide
a significant amount of bacterial habitat. But depending on
the size of your tank, you can take out about 1/4 to 1/3 at a time
and replace it with new clean gravel; do this with each PWC and
in a month or so it'll be done. You can worry about the strays
at the end.

Gunther


I have 2 comets and dark red gravel just does not set them off.

color suggestions? was thinking black or a light color.

thx - Craig

that colored gravel is dyed and coated and the coating breaks down over time.
if you must, go with pea gravel.
http://users.megapathdsl.net/~solo/p.../care/care.htm
look at how to remove gravel. it is done slowly at each water change. make sure you
got good filter on tank for a month first. Ingrid

(Craig) wrote:

If I want to change the color of my gravel, will I alter the water
chemistry? Are there a lot of good things (water wise)
going on under the gravel?

Just wondering if I will face a bloom of some kind if I take it out all
at once. And if I'm gonna change color, I don't really have a choice.

I have 2 comets and dark red gravel just does not set them off.

color suggestions? was thinking black or a light color.

thx - Craig



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endorsements or recommendations I make.

Gunther wrote in message et...
In article , crw59
@earthlink.net says...
If I want to change the color of my gravel, will I alter the water
chemistry? Are there a lot of good things (water wise)
going on under the gravel?

Just wondering if I will face a bloom of some kind if I take it out all
at once. And if I'm gonna change color, I don't really have a choice.

?? Why no choice??
It's best not to remove it all at once, since it does provide
a significant amount of bacterial habitat. But depending on
the size of your tank, you can take out about 1/4 to 1/3 at a time
and replace it with new clean gravel; do this with each PWC and
in a month or so it'll be done. You can worry about the strays
at the end.

that's what I meant by no choice. was just trying to avoid picking out the stray
pieces. but water quality is more important....

thx