The fact is beneficial bacteria live on many surfaces within the aquarium. Therefore removing anything, be it rocks, gravel, plastic plants, or the filter media, will have at least some impact on the bacterial colonies. Does that mean nothing can ever be removed from your aquarium? Certainly not! Armed with water testing kit and the knowledge of what to look out for, you can successfully change your gravel to something more appealing to you as well as to your fish (blue gravel isn't the norm in nature - your fish will probably enjoy the change to a more natural colored substrate).

The logistics of changing the gravel may be a bit challenging, but nothing insurmountable. Planning ahead is important. Make sure you have all the materials you'll need before you dig into this project. A checklist of tasks and materials needed would be a good idea, so you know all your bases are covered. At the bottom of this page I've included a suggested checklist for you.

Prepare Ahead
Whenever contemplating any change in an aquarium, the key focus should be to minimize the stress to your fish. Because changing gravel is pretty invasive, it is advisable to move the fish out of the main tank into a temporary holding tank. If you don't already have a spare tank I'd recommend purchasing a 10-gallon 'leader' tank. It only costs about ten dollars and can be used as a hospital or quarantine tank later. If you absolutely cannot afford a spare tank, the next option would be to use a clean five-gallon bucket that has never had detergents or chemicals in it.

Wait at least a couple of weeks after performing a filter change or cleaning, to allow the bacteria in the filter media to stabilize. A few days before you plan to change the gravel, top off your tank completely. Test the water to ensure the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero (if they aren't zero, you'll have to address that problem before attempting a gravel change). On the day before the big change, do not feed your fish. This will cut down on the wastes produced in the holding tank (nothing in means little goes out). Also on the day before the gravel change, review your checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

The Process
On the big moving day, start the process by rinsing the new gravel until the rinse water runs clear. Then set up holding tank as close to the main tank as possible. This will allow you to transfer the fish from one tank to the other readily. Just make sure the holding tank is not situated where you'll fall over as you work! Now that your holding tank is ready, temporarily turn off the filter in the main (29 gallon) tank. Perform the next few steps quickly, so the filter is only off a short period of time. Siphon off enough water from the main tank to fill the 10 gallon holding tank about two thirds of the way full. Then remove any live plants, rocks, and other decorations, from the main tank and put them in the holding tank. This will preserve the bacterial growing on the rocks, etc. However, if you have large items, you may not have room to put them in the holding tank. Keep in mind that you'll need room for the fish, which you are now ready to move from the main tank.

Quickly net the fish and move them to the holding tank. Because the water in the holding tank is from the original tank, you do not need to acclimate them - they can be moved directly over. Once you have moved the fish, cover the holding tank so none of your finned friends can jump out. If you don't have a regular hood or cover for the holding tank, a newspaper or piece of cardboard will do. Now add enough aged or treated water to the main tank to allow the filter to run, and then turn the filter back on. Note: Don't completely fill the main tank, as you need space to move back the rocks, plants, and decorations. You are now ready to swap the gravel.

Scoop out the old gravel and place into buckets. Once all the gravel has been removed, vacuum any debris from the bottom of the tank then put the new gravel in. After the new gravel has been added, you can move your rocks, plants, and decorations from the holding tank back to the main tank. Lastly move your fish from the holding tank back to the main tank. Leave the lights off for the rest of the day, and add some stress coat to the water to help ease the stress on your fish. Feed the fish sparingly the first day, then normally after that. Although your gravel swap is done, it is important to monitor the water for ammonia and nitrite spikes. Odds are you'll have at least a small spike.

After The Change
Three days after the gravel change, test the water for ammonia. If it is zero, wait another three days and test again. If it is still zero, repeat test after one week just to be on the safe side. If the test shows an ammonia spike, treat the tank as if it were a newly set up aquarium, which means frequent testing and water changes until the ammonia and nitrite levels fall to zero.

Good luck with your gravel change. How about sending some before and after photos to show off your work? I'll be happy to post them here on the site for everyone to admire.

Checklist - Materials Needed
New gravel
Holding tank (10 gallon leader is a good choice)
Cover for holding tank
Siphon
Nets
Buckets for gravel
Clean cup to scoop gravel
Stress coat/water treatment

Checklist - Tasks to do in Advance
At least two weeks ahead - clean filter
Two days ahead - top off water in tank
One day ahead - test water for ammonia and nitrite
One day ahead - stop feeding the fish
Day of change - set up holding tank
Day of change - wash gravel

Checklist - Changing the Gravel
Turn filter off on main tank
Fill holding tank 2/3rds full with water from main tank
Remove rocks, plants, decorations and place in holding tank
Move fish from main tank to holding tank and cover tank
Add enough water to main tank to allow filter to run
Turn filter back on in main tank
Scoop old gravel out of main tank
Add new gravel to main tank
Move rocks, plants, and decorations to main tank
Move fish back to main tank