Can one dirt a currently active tank, or do we need to start with a new tank?

The discussion title says it all really. I have a 30 gallon, planted tank, but the plants are struggling and i want to DIRT IT! My problem is that it's loaded with fish. Is it possible to break down an "active" tank and dirt it, and then throw the fish back in ASAP? Can the fish contend with the nutrient spike that occurs after the dirting? Any suggestions and/or advice would be killer. Thanks everyone.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Hill on March 11, 2013 at 4:01pm

I did exactly that on my 75 gallon. I put my fish in a large container with an air stone and a heater for 24 hours. I moved my fish back into the tank and didn't lose any fish. I did several water changes a week at first.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Aaron Lovethefish on March 12, 2013 at 2:57pm

just 24 hours, eh? Did you "pre-treat" the dirt for a week or two in some water before adding it to the tank? Thanks!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris Hill on March 14, 2013 at 11:47am

Yes, I soaked my dirt for two weeks. I put the dirt in a container and filled it with water, probably half the dirt will float up. I skimmed all the floating stuff off and threw it out. My theory is dirt doesn't float. It took me a few months to get things looking good and stabilized. Definitely have a plan where and what you're going to plant, that was my biggest mistake. I was frustrated at first because I didn't see much growth. It takes a little bit for the roots to get established. Once they do they grow like weeds.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Aaron Lovethefish on March 14, 2013 at 2:31pm

For the plan on what to plant: i've heard one needs to plant immediatly to help absorb the nutrient spike. Just to clarify, this would mean i need all my plants as soon as i dirt? Thus, anticipate the timeline and purchase my plants accordingly? Now that i read this, the answer to these questions seem obvious. LOL. Thanks for your help, Chris.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris Hill on March 14, 2013 at 4:09pm

Definitely plant right away. Plants absorb most nutrients through their roots and it takes a while for roots to get established. Which is part of the reason to do big water changes at first. Get some duck weed to float on the surface, they absorb nutrients well and will help control algae. Another big mistake is too much lighting. Im only running a single bulb at 7 hours right now, algae wont grow without light.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LED on March 14, 2013 at 11:30pm

if you wish to dirt your tank without having to redo the whole tank, I would suggest simply putting dirt that is sifted of all the floating debris. then the remaining contents, let it get to a muddy consistency and then put them in ice cube trays. Freeze the dirt and after frozen, get the frozen dirt and shove them under your currently existing plants. this is Semi dirting without having to redo your entire tank. This will help already established plants immediately.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Aaron Lovethefish on March 14, 2013 at 11:40pm

that's brilliant... have you tried this?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LED on March 15, 2013 at 5:09am

Yes I have and it's good

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris Hill on March 15, 2013 at 11:37am

Definitely a clever way of doing it. I you want the full result I would still say clean your tank out start over with all dirt. I only say that because I'm amazed with my results.