is it safe to add gravel once my tank is cycled?

[moomoo28]

hi
i currently have a 2 ft bare tank that have cycled and filled with lifestocks for 3 months. However, the problem is now I wanted to add in some gravel, but i'm afraid whether it will cause any effect on the fishes, can anyone pls advise? thanks

[albert]

As you mentioned, you have a 2ft bare tank. Therefore I assumed that there is nothing inside your tank except fishes. The only place that the benefical bacteria resides is possibly in your filter media. Without disrupting your filter (i.e. washing with tap water), I reckon no harm will be done if you add in new gravel.

Put some mulms in the underlayer of your gravel will help to accelerate the growth of the bacteria in your gravel. The mulms can be extracted from your filter.

[moomoo28]

i'm using a internal cannister filter, i always wash it with my tank water, but sorry i am not sure wad is mulm? i only saw some plastic balls inside the content of the filter media.

[Phillipians]

mulm is some blackish stuff like dust or dirt found in your filter. Alternatively, find a friend with gravel and a cycled tank and ask him to dig a little gravel for you to put into your tank.

Anyway it is not extremely impt as your filter has some bacteria in it alrdy so i dont forsee a prob for you no worries for you then. ")

[hirowen]

When you are adding ur gravel in, try to reduce the water height as low as possible, this may help to prevent too much cloudy effect! Good luck!!

[Thirteen]

juz add. nth bad will happen..bact will still reside in the gravel sooner or later. but it's better if u add mulms like philipians mentioned. Will promotes the growth. When u first add gravel cloudiness is something u cant avoid but only reduce. The water should clear the next day or the most 48hrs. I'll would wash the gravel twice then slowly sets it in. =)

[samuelgoh]

dun think got problem la.
i tried b4.
even tried changing of gravels
so far no casualty sighted.
good luck dude!

[moomoo28]

thanks for the advice, i will take notice

[XnSdVd]

I would advise WASHING the gravel in normal tap water before you put it in. It's one thing to cloud the water with small organic particles(fish poop), that stuff decomposes eventually into CO2 and NO3 and releases trace minerals... so it isn't permanent.

Inorganic particles(powdered gravel) on the other hand does not rot. And so will stay in your tank until it gets sucked into your filter. Which unfortunately takes a helluva long time... And if you're putting plants in, it chances are it'll form a thin layer on their leaves, slowing the growth.

BTW, best way to wash gravel? those cheap $2.00++ gravel filters.