I dont want to risk my DPs lives..

[moh]

So I have a 20 gallon setup as below. I have 2 female 1 male dwarf puffers, and 3 otos. I am trying to grow plants to help alleviate some chasing (have had them about 3 weeks, accidentally killed one a rehomed another - had 5 at 1 point). Well the plants arent going well. Ive considered switching my substrate to Turface MVP. Im worried that switching the gravel will disrupt the bacteria and cause a mini cycle. Would you reccomend keeping it as is? If you think its safe to switch how should I go about it.. keep the puffs in the tank and attempt to work around them or move them to a qt tank while I work?

20 gallon, Smaller gravel, Current USA planted + freshwater LED set to 6 hours a day, aquavitro envy for ferts. I will add root tabs once I get new plants.

**Also** I had a much larger female in the tank. She was cruel.. would trap the others in spaces and then attack them. Before rehoming her (to a good home where she has her own 10 gallon!) the other 3 had really dark spots. Now that she is gone their spots are slowly getting duller. Is this normal or should I be worried? All params check out normal and theyve been dewormed with prazi.

[Pufferpunk]

Why not just go with silk plants? They look very real.

[pollypuff]

Well there are a lot of questions before you start uprooting your substrate so lets start with the easy one - what kind of plants are you trying to grow? I do live plants in all my tanks, even the 5 gallon but I tend to stick to easy, low tech (meaning doesn't need co2) low light plants like swords, anubis, java moss. Do you have pictures of your plants?

[lightsout]

The most important beneficial bacteria is in your filter, as long as they dont die off you are good to go. There shouldnt be a reason for a mini cycle unless something goes wrong IN your filter.

[moh]

PP I really like the live plants and so do my otos lol. This is my last resort before I go silk. Pollypuff, I have several different types that are going to be pulled out shortly. After talking with someone on a facebook aquarium plants group, we think my problem is the fertilizers Im using. Ill be switching ferts and will have a couple crypts, wisteria, lilleaopsis, repens, and anubias.

[moh]

And thanks lightsout.. Hopefully I can unvest in a canister by the end of the year so if something happens to my AC50 Ill have one for a backup

[Welch4]

Sounds like your heading in the right direction. They are very large but my dps love aponogaeton ulvaveous. Only downside to these guys is they do go dormant. I'm still trying to get the resting period underwraps myself.

[Iliveinazoo]

PP I really like the live plants and so do my otos lol. This is my last resort before I go silk. Pollypuff, I have several different types that are going to be pulled out shortly. After talking with someone on a facebook aquarium plants group, we think my problem is the fertilizers Im using. Ill be switching ferts and will have a couple crypts, wisteria, lilleaopsis, repens, and anubias.

You're plants can't read a manufacturers name on a bottle so what do you mean by switching? Your plants need, light, CO2, NPK & Trace elements and depending on your plant choice they will need more or less of each, some plants will not require anything other than a standard luminaire and fish waste, others will require the addition of NPK & Trace ferts while others will need even more ferts, CO2 injection and high levels of light.

You do not need to change out your substrate as your plants will be able to get the ferts they need from water column dosing but a substrate will allow leaner water column dosing, root tabs will help if you don't replace your substrate.

[moh]

Thanks for the advice. Im still unsure of plant species yet. Definetly wisteria, a few crypts, some anubia, and ludwiga

[moh]

So I bought the 50lb bag of turface mvp for $10. Going to seitch tomorrow. Heres my plan. Advice greatly appreciated!!!

1) Remove decorations to 10 gallon tank.
2) Remove 3 pea puffers and 3 otos to 10 gallon tank.
3) scoop out gravel and dead/dying plants
4) remove 50% water
5) turn off filter - put in prerinsed turface mvp
6) fill back up with water
7) Add decorations back in 20 gallon and any salvagable plants.
Add puffers and otos back in 20 gallon.

I understand it may take some time for cloudiness to dissipate before the fish can go back. Im praying this wont cause the tank to cycle but if it does the fish nay need to stay in the 10 gallon to wait it out.

Any suggestions or advice GREATLY appreciated! Im coming to thepufferforum because I need sound advice to keep my puffs safe

[Pufferpunk]

I don't see why the tank will restart a cycle, as long as the substrate & media are kept the same.

[moh]

I would be switching from gravel substrate to turface mvp

[Iliveinazoo]

I don't see why the tank will restart a cycle, as long as the substrate & media are kept the same.

Agreed!!

You should put the fish back in after the change around to keep the nitrogen cycle going in your tank.

[moh]

The whole point is that I would be switching substrate though..

[pollypuff]

If your filter has cycled media in it you should be ok. Test the water before you put the fish back in for ammonia, sometimes ammonia can build up in the substrate and taking it all out will release it into the tank.