aaron11 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi im buying some second hand gravel i have icky 80s stuff I am getting a few buckets of black for both my tanks it has brightwater gravel and flourite is that ok to use second hand do I have to boil it?? how do i change the gravel just carefully take the old stuff out and add to it and replant oh what a mess lol also i brought a second hand elithm filter good one do i need to soak the sponge before i change it from the old one which is going in my other tank is that ok to do that?? sorry about all the questions my tank has been going for 2 months i have ten neons, ten platy, ten guppies and 4 cat fish and 5 babies also my plants are growing ok my ph is 6.2 last week it seem to drop a bit, i hvaent tested my ammonia yet as I havent got the kitt its on its way in the post I do weekly water changes and add stress coat Also thanks for helping :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 :lol: anyone??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi im buying some second hand gravel i have icky 80s stuff I am getting a few buckets of black for both my tanks it has brightwater gravel and flourite is that ok to use second hand do I have to boil it?? Yes it's fine to use second hand. I'd boil it, or rinse it really well and leave it out in the sun for a couple of days. how do i change the gravel just carefully take the old stuff out and add to it and replant oh what a mess lol Put the fish in a bucket, it's a lot less stressful for them. It's good if you can save most of their water, then you can totally empty the tank so it's not so messy. also i brought a second hand elithm filter good one do i need to soak the sponge before i change it from the old one which is going in my other tank is that ok to do that?? Boil it to get the bugs out, or just buy a new one if that's an option. Don't change the filter and the gravel at the same time though, you'll get rid of all the good bacteria and the tank will have to re-cycle. sorry about all the questions That's quite alright. my tank has been going for 2 months i have ten neons, ten platy, ten guppies and 4 cat fish and 5 babies also my plants are growing ok my ph is 6.2 last week it seem to drop a bit, i hvaent tested my ammonia yet as I havent got the kitt its on its way in the post I do weekly water changes and add stress coat Also thanks for helping :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: pH is ok, water changes will keep it a bit higher. It generally does drop naturally because the fish wastes are acidic (low pH). It's controversial, but lots of people don't add stress coat when changing the water. Personally, I think it's a huge waste of money, just do regular changes and don't pour the water right on top of the fish. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thank you so much i will take out the fish and change the gravel dunno if i can catch all the babies cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 lms thanks so much you been a great help to me is it ok to boil the gravel with the florite in it?? or should i just wash in hot water like you said let it dry out side?? god id hate to loose my fish im so attached to my babies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 If you get a chance post a before pic and after pic? Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 florite will be fine when boiled. Have fun - I hate washing gravel!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 lol not my fav thing to do either but its way cheaper than shop and the man has cleaned it was only used for 2 months so should be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 thanks i got the gravel they are droppin it off in the next few days I was a bit worried about the flourite as it said on some places on line that it can really cloud the water they said they have washed it well and it can go straight into the tank I will give it another wash? to be safe??? ty for ya help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Yes do wash it again - preferably boil it and leave it in the sun to make sure that anything in it will be killed off. Its better to be safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 I agree, make sure you wash it again. If you don't and something happens, you'll regret it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron11 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Hi i dont really have anyway to dry it If i boil it wont it wreck the flourite?? one tank i am just added too the gravel so I will mix it with what I got and my jebo curved glass one im changing the lot grr Got to catch all the fish that will be fun lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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