Changing substrate - aquatic "sod"?

[jgc]

My first planted tank is starting to come along nicely, but am seriously questioning my choice (or failure in choosing) substrate. I have no real desire to start over, but will probably try something else on future tanks (I have several sitting dry right now)

Here is my question. Has anyone tried to change the substrate to an existing tank without a complete redo? I am probably thinking of doing something that will not work, but just curious if anyone has ever tried to transplant portions of the substrate from one tank to another. Basically am thinking of how lawns are planted - growing pieces of aquatic "sod" and moving it to the existing tank. More specifically, thinking about using a "form" to excavate an area in the existing tank to drop in the sod.

Anyway, hope this idea is good for a few laughs, but am curious the various reasons it is wrong
.

[SCMurphy]

Actually, Oliver Knott did the 'sod' thing for a display tank he set up for a trade show in Europe. I don't have the link handy but it looked really good. I also can't comment on the technique he used to place the sod as I don't think he explained it on his site.

[Wasserpest]

Excavating an area in your existing tank should be really easy by vacuuming it into a bucket. The trick is to get substrate back into the tank without making a nasty mess, like Flourite for ex makes.

[Nbot]

I just did a substrate change...went fairly well:

1. Got a rubbermaid trash can (50gallons?) Cleaned it out good w/ water and vinegar (it's only been used for fish stuff)
2. Threw my heater into there along w/ an air stone
3. Used a siphon/python to transfer water to the rubbermaid
4. Took out all the plants and put them in the rubbermaid (so I could net the fish easier)
5. Drained the tank almost empty for the harder to catch fish (not all water got drained to the rubbermaid, some to the sink)
6. Got a dustpan and scooped out all of the gravel, got out most of the water as well via scooping
7. There's a layer of "mulm" (dirty fish poop water) I put the new Eco-Complete on top of that.
8. Added back plants! The Eco is *SOOOOOOOO* easy to work with compared to gravel and Aquasoil (I've had all 3), hats off to it! I recommend Eco to *any* and *every* rookie or sophomore hobbyist. Its a) the easiest to plant in! b) it doesn't make your tank murky for a few weeks w/ daily water changes, c) and perhaps most importantly, you can rearrange your scape without angering the gods of silty water....which, for *MOST* of us is what we are going to end up doing with our tanks, rearranging things as time goes on.
9. Scoop w/ a gallon jug the water out of the rubbermaid back into the tank (I put 50% full of old water)
10. Add fish...tank cleared over-night (was hardly cloudy at all same day, but clear in the AM).
11. Mini-Cycling shouldn't be an issue w/: a) established cannister, b) drift wood and rocks that stayed in the tank scape, c) medium+ plant load, d) some stem plants to soak up whatever excess needs to be absorbed quickly

New Eco looks AWESOME! compared to the old gravel...I'd been dreading doing this change, but so happy now...it is a little stressful b/c you want to go quickly so you can get your fish back into the tank so they don't get too stressed out. But overall its a simple enough process.