changing substrate in an established aquarium

[coltin]

Do you have a filter in your tank?

If you do, just drain most of the water out and put it in a clean fish bucket with the fish and filter media. Tip the gravel out and put clean, washed sand in. Add the old water, fish, and filter. Top up with some clean dechlorinated water. Turn everything back on and you're done.

Plants will grow just as well in gravel or sand. So if you don't mind the gravel, then leave it there and just add some live plants.

You need light on the tank for live plants. What sort of light is on the tank and what sort of globe does it have? Check for numbers and a letter on the globe, something like 4500K.

[boomer]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

I've had my 10 gallon tank for almost a year now, with a betta in it. I think I've got a good grasp on taking care of him - he's still doing well. My tank's established, with 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites, and 10 ppm nitrates. It's mainly got artificial decorations and some gravel, but we're planning to change that now. We're switching to real plants and sand as our substrate. I'm excited about the changes, but I've got some questions.

What'll happen to the tank's bacteria, and how do I change the substrate without messing up the cycle? Also, what plants are best for a betta tank, and how do I keep them healthy? I'm not really sure where to start.

Just to clarify, you're planning to switch the entire substrate at once. So, your Betta will be temporarily relocated to a separate container filled with water from the existing tank. Move the filter over to this temporary setup as well, making sure it's submerged. Then, drain the main tank, remove the existing gravel, and replace it with washed sand. Add any decorations and rooted plants, filling the tank with tap water that's been conditioned. Transfer the filter back without rinsing it, and add the floating plants. Once everything is in place, you can move your Betta back to its home.