Want to redo my tank

[TECKSPEED]

Hi all,

I currently have a 20 gallon tank with two 18 inch amazon sword, a bunch maybe 10 or so of 8 inch amazon sword, some java fern, and two banana plants. Ive had my tank up and running for a while now and im getting tired of looking at the same old rookie mistakes i made when first setting up. I just kind of placed plants without thinking lol. If you could please help me out with some ideas or tips that would be great.

Here is my tank:

[CoffeeLove]

Get rid of that clown puke gravel

Get a nice piece of wood and a couple of rocks and redo it, make it look natural.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[CoffeeLove]

Oh and take all the fake plants out, especially the gaudy pink thing.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[TECKSPEED]

what substrate do you suggest, and i know the gravel is ugly but its what i had when money was tight, thanks, also i want to add a couple more plants into my tank to replace the other fake ones i have, suggestions

[zoragen]

The gravel doesn't have to be expensive. Petco has nice gravel.

The swords will appreciate fert tabs.

I like crypts. In my 20g I have lutea, spiralis & red wenti.

[TECKSPEED]

honestly i feel if i go get different aquarium gravel there is no point in taking the current stuff out, kind of just a bother you know? If i got any other substrate it would probably be eco-complete or something of that nature. i am just unsure if i need to redose my micro and macro ferts when i do that

[tiggity]

Pool Filter Sand, 50 lbs. for $7.99 Plants will grow nicely with some root tabs.

[TECKSPEED]

isnt sand messy? also i am unsure how to clean that when the time comes

[tiggity]

Surprisingly no. I used it in my new 40B set up and I just dumped it in (before water) without washing it. When I filled the tank, it was a little cloudy but 24hrs later with the filter running it cleared up.

It may look white in pictures but it's actually cream color and looks good.

[TECKSPEED]

ive already got my tank set up with fish in, how would i go about redoing my substrate with fish like that

[tiggity]

You can scoop out the gravel with fish and water still in it. Make sure you turn off the filter when putting sand it. Use a cup and slowly let it fill with water with the sand in it and pour in the tank slowly. Once you have your sand in, rescape, do a water change and start up your filter.

This is how I did it with my 10 gallon when it had regular gravel and I swapped it out with Flourite capped with sand. This was messier due to the flourite and I could barely see anything with the tank. But a quick water change almost 90%, and 24hrs. later it cleared up nicely.

[TECKSPEED]

so your saying turn my filter off, take gravel out, scoop sand in slowly and let it settle?

[tiggity]

Originally Posted by TECKSPEED

so your saying turn my filter off, take gravel out, scoop sand in slowly and let it settle?

Yes. Actually, I would leave it running when removing the gravel then turn it off when putting sand in.

However, the gravel you have is fine for a planted tank. I started out with a small Petco bookshelf with blue and white gravel and Sponge Bob decor (my daughter's request ). I used root tabs and Flourish comprehensive and the plants grew, slowly, but it grew.

[TECKSPEED]

sweet thanks for your help