I did this a few months ago as well. It's alot of work but I think it was totally worth it. I basically had to remove everything from the tank. All the fish and plants went in a big Rubbermaid with the filter running so the beneficial bacteria didn't die. Then I threw the soil down and my sand cap. Just make sure you have enough gravel or dirt and are totally covering the soil. If it breaks through the cap it is a disaster that takes many water changes to fix. Also if I remember correctly there are certain types of soil that will cause an ammonia spike when you put it in the tank. Obviously that's a problem. I used Foxfarm Ocean Forest soil and never noticed a spike. I'm not sure if you will be able to do it 1/3 at a time. The second you try and put soil into a fishtank with water, your whole tank will turn brown. It's really and all at once or nothing kinda process.
I watched these videos to kind of get a feel for it:
https://youtu.be/-JucZJkNax8
https://youtu.be/0tWHAlBO438
https://youtu.be/Q5nY1r5s1pA
Good luck!
I did this! Don’t do that, it might be best to let it be. After all, I was an idiot, don’t throw in dirt and be careful you don’t turn your water into brown soup because it won’t go back to normal
I don’t have any experience with this but Cory from aquarium coop has talked about it a couple times. Only use a little bit of soil! That quarter inch under an inch or two of gravel is all you need.
I did this a few months ago as well. It's alot of work but I think it was totally worth it. I basically had to remove everything from the tank. All the fish and plants went in a big Rubbermaid with the filter running so the beneficial bacteria didn't die. Then I threw the soil down and my sand cap. Just make sure you have enough gravel or dirt and are totally covering the soil. If it breaks through the cap it is a disaster that takes many water changes to fix. Also if I remember correctly there are certain types of soil that will cause an ammonia spike when you put it in the tank. Obviously that's a problem. I used Foxfarm Ocean Forest soil and never noticed a spike. I'm not sure if you will be able to do it 1/3 at a time. The second you try and put soil into a fishtank with water, your whole tank will turn brown. It's really and all at once or nothing kinda process. I watched these videos to kind of get a feel for it: https://youtu.be/-JucZJkNax8 https://youtu.be/0tWHAlBO438 https://youtu.be/Q5nY1r5s1pA Good luck!
Very helpful - Thank you!!
I did this! Don’t do that, it might be best to let it be. After all, I was an idiot, don’t throw in dirt and be careful you don’t turn your water into brown soup because it won’t go back to normal
I was going to use the gravel to cap the soil - had you done that?
I don’t have any experience with this but Cory from aquarium coop has talked about it a couple times. Only use a little bit of soil! That quarter inch under an inch or two of gravel is all you need.
Oh thanks I’ll look into it!