We are only 5 hours away from the aquarium overhaul.

If you've kept up w/ me in some of my other posts, basically we are removing everything in the tank and putting it in a large storage tub filled with the aquarium's water (fish, plants, decor, etc).

We are then going to remove all the rock at the bottom until theres nothing but glass showing.

From there, we will then put down our new substrate mix (recommended from this site)

layer 1 = peat moss (just plain spaghnum i believe peat moss from lowes)

layer 2 = play sand

layer 3 = the gravel we removed earlier

then we're going to refill it and put everything back



Just a few concerns i have before we do this after work today...
1) do we need to wash or soak the peat moss or anything? or just put down a layer straight from the bag?

2) same question as #1 except about the play sand

3) when putting the live plants in, do we put them all the way to the peat moss? or put them in the rocks and they will grow to the moss themselves?

4) are there any other layers we should put in before we put the final gravel over? we dont want to have to do this again, any supplements? any plantfood? anything at all?

5) ive been reading a lot where people say this layering can cause toxic bubbles or fumes? is this something i should be worried about w/ my planned layering?

6) any other tips, advice, thoughts, suggestions, remarks, comments, lol, etc etc etc are more than appreciated.

thanks so much

ill be sure to take pictures of the drastic fiasco


oh, tank is a 55 gallon rectangle

Make sure you take the water way down. Otheriwse you'll have a mess with the peat.

YA I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT. I FIGURE WE'LL TAKE EVERY LAST DROP OF THE WATER OUT IF WE HAVE TO.

Plus, I think others have gotten away with not soaking if you got the second layer on before adding water. Not sure though.

THANKS A TON

I FIGURE WE'LL PUT THE PEAT MOSS IN, THEN PUT THE SAND ON, THEN PUT THE ROCKS ON, THEN ADD THE WATER

I dont think the fish can go in right away till the peat is settled. you will have some muck from the new sub kicked into the water but minimal. I hear of people using a craft thick paper UNDER a dinner plate then pouring the water on the plate and any splash the paper catches so it doesnt disturb the bottom(aquascaper trick).

I think BeaslBob will be your best bud on this build.

Aw gosh

Gee whillikers

Shuckies dern

Farm out
outta state.

and all that.

If you can take all the water out.

put in each layer then add water to the top of that layer and level it out and clean the tank sides.

Repeat for next layer.

After gravel (and wet, level, clean) plant the plants before adding the water back.

The refill the tank by pouring the water over a dish.

Should result in an almost clear tank immediately.

my .02

and let us know how it goes.

SO U SAY PUT WATER IN ON TOP OF EACH LAYER? WILL DO
THANKS A TON


I WAS READING PEAT MOSS IS LOW IN NUTRIENTS AND WHAT NOT, DO I NEED TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN THE PEAT MOSS, SAND, AND GRAVEL?

I Love This Website, Ive Probably Had More Questions Answered On This Forum Than At My Lfs. Not To Mention So Much More Timely.

I Hate My Lfs. Went In The Other Day To Ask About A New Light Fixture Before Ordering One Online, She Told Me She Didnt Have Time.

Went In Another Time To Pick Up A Couple Clown Loaches, She Told Me Until She Buys Her Kids Christmas Presents, She Wont Be Ordering Anymore Fish.

Needless To Say, I Think She's Going To Go Out Of Business Soon.

Yes. and just put water in enough to wet each layer. But not so much the peat actually starts floating. welcomeNothing else needed. Peat moss with nutrients will actually create more algae problems.

thanks and thanks!

Actually I have only done this with brand new setsups.

So how it works for a redo would be interesting.

ill take plenty of pictures and let ya know

its gonna be a long night i would imagine

Try to avoid looking at your handy work for hours after it is all done.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, dont go gettin all ego swollen and stuff,lol. You want the best, gotta ask the resident best, right? I make mud tanks when I try this every time.

GREAT! IM EITHER GONNA BE SO EGO SWOLL MY HEAD WONT FIT THROUGH THE DOOR OR IM GONNA BE PLAYING IN MUD TONIGHT.

It might be too late, but the peat moss will float unless it is soaked. I soaked my sphagnum peat moss for a full day before I put it in. Worked like a charm, no cloudiness or floaties at all.

__________________
FW 10G, 5 neons, 1 fancy male guppy, BNP, pond snails, ~80 RCS. Camboba, java moss, java fern, willow hygro, ludwigia repens, dwarf sag, anubias nana. AC50, 50W heater, Current USA Nova Extreme 2x18W T5HO.

"Give me your penchant and I shall grant you deliverance." - Falcor

ok quick question
could i not just put in the peat moss, leave it completely dry
then put sand over it, leave it dry

then add the gravel over it
then add the water...
i mean, wouldnt the water work its way down through the gravel easy enough to eventually soak the bottom two layers?

im starting to get scared now.

Yes.