I dont want to risk my DPs lives..

[Welch4]

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.

+1 quick way around this, once the new substrate is in and the water column has settled you can do a large water change. As long as your established filter is still active you shouldn't have an issue.

[moh]

Thank you both, I feel much better about the switch tomorrow!! Im rather excited to not have this gravel anymore. I think its ugly. Once I have the tank back tgether Ill try to figure out how to post pics here

[Welch4]

Upload the pics you want to photo bucket then copy the img hyperlink into your post. It is helpful to scale the photo down to have it viewable with having to open to the photo bucket page.

[Pufferpunk]

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

Sorry, I shouldn't answer posts so close to bedtime! You can always add a small bottle of Safestart to be sure.

[moh]

Well guys thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately the turfave didnt work out... I rinsed it for an hour and the water color stayed dark orangish brown.

[Welch4]

Hadn't looked at what this was until now. We're you attempting to use turface? If so why was this something you had on hand?

[moh]

Yes I was going to use Turface MVP. Its a high temp baked clay with a high CEC. Which means it could suck up liquid ferts from the water column,fish waste and roots tabs to offer them to rooted plants. I did not have it on hand. I bought a 50lb bag for $10 to attempt to use it

[Welch4]

I wonder what was causing the coloration then. Was there a lot of silt run off when you were rinsing? First i have heard of this being used for a substrate, sounds like an interesting concept. Sorry the first attempt didn't go so well. Are you going to keep trying with it to see if you can get a clear water column with it?

[moh]

It was very, very dusty. I wonder if I got an old bag.. but where I bought it is the only place to buy it. I have 25lbs left. Have considered letting it soakd for a week.. or| even emptying my 10 gallon... putting it in there and filling it up, let that cheap filter run with some carbon and mechanical filtration and see if that would help clear out the column. Stir the turface every day or two. Id still prefer to switch my substrate, but if I use the 10 gallon, I wont have a backup tank to put my puffs in for awhile so Im torn.

[Welch4]

I'd say try extended rinses in a colander until your runoff is clear. Place the rinsed turface a 5 gallon bucket. Pun intended. . . Rinse and repeat. Depending on how brittle the clay is I would stay way from stirring it as this could cause it to break down and produce more particulate. Once your bucket has enough substrate for your tank attempt the swap again. Just a suggestion. Your tank idea sounds good as well.

[Iliveinazoo]

It was very, very dusty. I wonder if I got an old bag.. but where I bought it is the only place to buy it. I have 25lbs left. Have considered letting it soakd for a week.. or| even emptying my 10 gallon... putting it in there and filling it up, let that cheap filter run with some carbon and mechanical filtration and see if that would help clear out the column. Stir the turface every day or two. Id still prefer to switch my substrate, but if I use the 10 gallon, I wont have a backup tank to put my puffs in for awhile so Im torn.

Don't know what Turface is but if it's a terrestrial substrate then it will probably need to be capped by sand or gravel to prevent it from being disturbed by water flow or fish movement. Again if it is a terrestrial substrate then be sure to know what additives/forms of fertiliser are included in it.

[Welch4]

It was very, very dusty. I wonder if I got an old bag.. but where I bought it is the only place to buy it. I have 25lbs left. Have considered letting it soakd for a week.. or| even emptying my 10 gallon... putting it in there and filling it up, let that cheap filter run with some carbon and mechanical filtration and see if that would help clear out the column. Stir the turface every day or two. Id still prefer to switch my substrate, but if I use the 10 gallon, I wont have a backup tank to put my puffs in for awhile so Im torn.

Don't know what Turface is but if it's a terrestrial substrate then it will probably need to be capped by sand or gravel to prevent it from being disturbed by water flow or fish movement. Again if it is a terrestrial substrate then be sure to know what additives/forms of fertiliser are included in it.

It's a high temp baked clay used in sporting greens.

[pollypuff]

It was very, very dusty. I wonder if I got an old bag.. but where I bought it is the only place to buy it. I have 25lbs left. Have considered letting it soakd for a week.. or| even emptying my 10 gallon... putting it in there and filling it up, let that cheap filter run with some carbon and mechanical filtration and see if that would help clear out the column. Stir the turface every day or two. Id still prefer to switch my substrate, but if I use the 10 gallon, I wont have a backup tank to put my puffs in for awhile so Im torn.

Don't know what Turface is but if it's a terrestrial substrate then it will probably need to be capped by sand or gravel to prevent it from being disturbed by water flow or fish movement. Again if it is a terrestrial substrate then be sure to know what additives/forms of fertiliser are included in it.

+1 to probably having to cap this substrate. I would do some research on a planted tank forum. Also, have you looked into the effect, if any, clay will have on your Ph?

[moh]

Its inert. At least the orangish colored turface is. The old grey turface (that they dont sell anymore) effected ph and such. It doesnt affect water parameters supposedly. By stirring I didnt seem to be breaking it up that I could tell, but good point... at I could easily snap bigger pieces in half. Ill try the collander idea!! A cap *may* be nessacary though Ive never seen anyone ise a cap. It is very lightweight and wont help hold down driftwood, etc like gravel though. Ive personally talked with a couple people who have it in their tanks currently, and a fish quickly swimming over the top can cause some slight movement.