how do i add more substrate?

[keithabi]

Hi all, My tank has been up and running for nearly 2 weeks and my fish are all doing fine but i don't think i've put enough gravel in the bottom. I wondered if it's possible to add more and if so what would be the best type? I have pea gravel in there at the mo. In the tank there are 2 firemouth cichlids, 2 dwarf guaramis, aed tailed black shark and a silver shark. I was hoping to get catfish and loach when the tanks been running a while.

[kimmers318]

You don't need a whole lot of gravel for fish only, plants might require more to help them root. Adding more gravel is as simple as adding the original gravel, just do it gently. Make sure you clean it and then just use a scoop or cup (coffee mug works well) to gently put it as close to the bottom as you can to slowly pour the gravel on top of the old gravel.
Other than specialty gravels, what you choose to buy is pretty much up to you. Smooth gravel or sand is easier on bottom feeders.

[cocoa_pleco]

i did what you did once, and had to add more. I washed the gravel, stuck it in a net, and dumped it where i wanted it in the tank

[Lady Hobbs]

I would add some in a corner somewhere and in a couple weeks add a couple more handfuls. If you just pour the new ontop of the old, you will cover up the gravel you have your bac growing in. I did that before myself and ended up setting my tank back for a bit.

[Chrona]

I would add some in a corner somewhere and in a couple weeks add a couple more handfuls. If you just pour the new ontop of the old, you will cover up the gravel you have your bac growing in. I did that before myself and ended up setting my tank back for a bit.

Yep, exactly what Hobbs said. Putting a fresh layer of gravel over the entire bed is called capping, and it cuts off oxygen flow to the bacteria and may set back your cycle/cause ammonia/nitrite spikes. Just do 1/3 of the tank at a time, with a week in between

[keithabi]

o.k thanks i will do that. I forgot to say that the reason i don't think there's enough is that one of my plants keeps coming loose and floating to the top and it's a real pain to get it planted again. Is it ok to add sand type with the gravel for future bottom feeders?

[Chrona]

o.k thanks i will do that. I forgot to say that the reason i don't think there's enough is that one of my plants keeps coming loose and floating to the top and it's a real pain to get it planted again. Is it ok to add sand type with the gravel for future bottom feeders?

The sand will settle to the bottom. It won't stay mixed and the plants will still come up because the roots will be primarily in the gravel.