Froggirl Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 I have a stable shrimp tank which has been running for a couple of weeks now. I'd like to add corys, but I want to remove the gravel before I do so. The tank has neocaridinas, a pleco, some ramhorn snails, live plants, moss, driftwood, and a layer of substrate (dennerle nutrisoil 6in1) that's covered by gravel. Only, the substrate was never washed as I added it before I knew I had to wash it.. Will removing the gravel and freeing up the substrate cause problems? I added a picture of the layers. I also have two new sponge filters running alongside a juwel bioflow filter which will be removed in the future (the juwel) in case it's relevant to my question. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) There is no black and white answer here. I see you have a lot of mulm and build up there- this isn't just from "unwashed" substrate (which isn't going to do any harm generally- usually it just clouds up your water for days and days). The mulm and other tank build up though- that comes with uneaten food, fish poop and whatever else that makes it down there. While changing substrate isn't an issue- what can become an issue is ammonia released by all that gunky stuff. So sometimes the only thing to do is removing all inhabitants and basically starting over- but saving as much as you can with the good bacteria on it. On another note, I see no reason you need to change substrate just to add corycats- they will do just fine in there. Edited June 27, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX to clarify 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 @xXInkedPhoenixX, that’s how that Nutribasis 6in1 soil looks. I’ve never seen it in person but from looking at internet videos I can tell it’s definitely different from other types of aquasoil. In any case, I agree with leaving the smooth pebbles, Corydoras will do fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 @Patrick_G looks just like my mulm! 😄 Thanks for pointing that out! In which case, scratch some of what I said, if you change the substrate it will likely just cloud the ever-loving out of your tank for a while. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 On 6/27/2022 at 1:52 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: looks just like my mulm! 😄 Thanks for pointing that out! I’d like to get a bag to play around with but I’ve never seen it in the US. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggirl Posted June 27, 2022 Author Share Posted June 27, 2022 On 6/27/2022 at 10:36 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: There is no black and white answer here. I see you have a lot of mulm and build up there- this isn't just from "unwashed" substrate (which isn't going to do any harm generally- usually it just clouds up your water for days and days). The mulm and other tank build up though- that comes with uneaten food, fish poop and whatever else that makes it down there. While changing substrate isn't an issue- what can become an issue is ammonia released by all that gunky stuff. So sometimes the only thing to do is removing all inhabitants and basically starting over- but saving as much as you can with the good bacteria on it. On another note, I see no reason you need to change substrate just to add corycats- they will do just fine in there. On 6/27/2022 at 10:49 PM, Patrick_G said: @xXInkedPhoenixX, that’s how that Nutribasis 6in1 soil looks. I’ve never seen it in person but from looking at internet videos I can tell it’s definitely different from other types of aquasoil. In any case, I agree with leaving the smooth pebbles, Corydoras will do fine. By mulm do you mean the dirt on the gravel? Cause this picture was unfortunately taken right before a waterchange 😅 Regardless, thank you for the replies! Will even Pygmy corys be alright on this gravel? I always read that they'd need sand to stick their barbells into, but it'd save me a lot of headache if I can just keep the gravel! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 @Froggirl - yes, they will all be fine no worries! The only way it might hurt them is if they try and dig in and get stuck or hit a rough patch but it has been my observation that it's VERY rare. It's totally untrue you can only keep corycats on sand or other fine substrates- they just like to dig so they like it- however there are hundreds of happy cories on this forum alone that live in tanks like yours! BTW, welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggirl Posted June 27, 2022 Author Share Posted June 27, 2022 @xXInkedPhoenixX Thank you very much! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flumpweesel Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 I have pygmy and regular corys on gravel for years no issues at all, those pebbles are lovely and smooth very similar to my pea shale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggirl Posted June 27, 2022 Author Share Posted June 27, 2022 @Flumpweesel Thanks for the reply! I'll be adding the cory's then 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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