I'm planning on swapping out my Black Diamond blast sand substrate for ADA Amazonia in my 1 year old cycled and planted 10 gallon tank. I've searched the forums/online but can't fine a solid answer on the best way to do this. The most common options I've come across are:
1) Swap substrate add zeolite/carbon and do 2x week large water changes until stabilized. Leave fish/shrimp in tank.
2) Soak AS in a separate tank/container for a few weeks until ammonia leaching calms down, then do the swap as normal like step above.
3) Rehouse fish/shrimp, swap substrate and basically recycle tank for a few weeks before adding livestock back
I'd like to avoid option 3 if I can. Would option 1 or 2 work for me in this situation?
1) Swap substrate add zeolite/carbon and do 2x week large water changes until stabilized. Leave fish/shrimp in tank.
2) Soak AS in a separate tank/container for a few weeks until ammonia leaching calms down, then do the swap as normal like step above.
3) Rehouse fish/shrimp, swap substrate and basically recycle tank for a few weeks before adding livestock back
I'd like to avoid option 3 if I can. Would option 1 or 2 work for me in this situation?
