CHANGING OUT THE SUBSTRATE IN THE JUWEL RIO

#howtochangesustrare #swapsandforgravel #juwelrio
Stubbs Aquatics. I would love it if you stopped in to say hi: / @stubbsaquatics6080

[@alisonnicholson]

Oh wow! The granite looks so nice. Tank looks awesome. Great job Daniel

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much Alison. Pretty glad I did it now.

[@jackanddan]

Wow what a project Daniel and it came out beautifully!! You need a python mate holy moly….we love it😀😀👍👍

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much boys. Was a big project aye but it paid off I reckon. Always been fine with being a bucket guy but a full empty and refill on a tank like that definitely had me questioning my judgement haha..

[@thefishlady]

That was a big job but well worth it and looks amazing, we'll done Daniel

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much. Yeah was a lot of work, enthusiasm wobbled a couple of times but I'm so glad now it's done.

[@leeandmandybattersby5958]

i remember those days of carrying buckets of water ... got to old to do that now 😂.. i just have my pump on the end of a hosepipe and put it straight down the grid cheap and easy ... really liking what you have done looks great

[@grahambiggs2017]

Same. Stops water changes being a chore too.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much Mandy. Doesn't bother me too much just for water changed but might need to come up with something even in case I do another big job like this at some point.

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Aww thanks my friend. That was too kind of you!! Excellent video.. Always great to have lots of buckets. Wow now those are roots!!!! Yikes on the water leaking out of the bags .. I use bins Good thinking on using water to knock the sand down. The bucket workout.. new fitness program. Looks excellent!! Very much enjoyed this video

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Haha.. yeah my biceps doubled. Now I can actually see them haha.. I know right? I was expecting nice healthy roots but even surprised me. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't have made the final decision to go for it so thanks for that and the kind words about the video.

[@christiangrunow7061]

Great Tank 😊greetings from Germany

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Christian. Greetings to you also.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

Good morning, Daniel. How are you, Sir? The Aquarium looks Ten times better with the dark substrate, as it adds a beautiful scale ⚖️ of depth to the Aquarium. And the plants 🪴🪴 are now popping out more, making it a lot more colourful, yet with a nice blend. The #12th #Like is now up to say thankyou very much for sharing. I hope you have an excellent Weekend. Take care, Sir. 👍🏼🙂👍🏼❤️

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you very much mate. Definitely agree it makes the plants stand out better. The Fish too I reckon. Everything had a yellow tint before. Hope you are fine and well mate and having a great week. Take care bud.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

@Daniel Keeping Fish It is my pleasure, buddy. Indeed, I am buddy, thankyou. 👍🏼🙂👍🏼❤️

[@redlaser1656]

Daniel, I enjoyed the condensed version of your day. Leaning over washing the granite chips would be sore on the back. Understandably, the last bucket of chips was not as thoroughly clean as the first. I do believe that this is a significant improvement to the tank.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks so much Laser. I think it's better so appreciate you saying bud. I did have the rinsing raised up a bit so I could keep my back straighter but all I got was dirty wet legs and freezing toes haha..

[@DebzAquaPetz]

Fab video Dan love it, looks amazing 👏 😍

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much Debz.

[@brianhaig1971]

Looks great

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Brian.

[@msbranen6261]

Turned out great!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much M&S.

[@Gilsfishroom]

Tank looks great mate. I leave around 6 inches of water in the tank and use a sieve to scoop the sand out. I find that it is nowhere near as messy as you don't have damp sand sticking to everything, including the glass. As hard as it is, I reckon that you made the right call on with the torpedo barbs.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks for the tip mate. I'll need to try that another time. Thanks for agreeing a out the Barbs too. Was definitely getting to busy in there for all the fish to feel comfortable. Just wish this darn cost of life thing hadn't come along so I could have just set up another tank for them as I'd intended. Hard to let them go but at least someone else is going to be able to enjoy them I guess.

[@DeFreeseAquariums]

Looks good

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Rob.

[@russwiggin2522]

Looking good 🙂 id defo invest in something to save your back with them buckets tho. All you need is a cheap pump and some hose🙂 honestly you wont look back and makes maintance much more enjoyable🙂

[@DanielKeepingFish]

You're probably right. Never really bothered me just for water changes but this is the second time I wished I had put something in place. The other time was when I first set it up haha..

[@bigfishlad4847]

It looks great mate and a brilliant tutorial I think you nailed 👍

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you very much mate.

[@PAFishandTanks]

Love the update

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Mike. 👍

[@shubunkin.goldfishtank]

That was a lot of work, done it aa few times myself Lol I like the way it looks with the new Granit gravel, nice job!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much mate. Yeah was a lot of work as you'll know but reckon it was worth it.

[@shubunkin.goldfishtank]

@@DanielKeepingFish Definitely worth it!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@@shubunkin.goldfishtank thanks man.

[@johnmaude5065]

You’ve done a grand job Mr DKF, but why don’t u buys long piece of tubing that fits the gravel vac and drain the water into a sink or outside?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Was hoping I was never going to have to drain this tank after filling it the first time. After doing this I thought that was the last time. Now I have to do it to move the tank forward. Time to reach for the hose maybe.. 🤔😉

[@garthantash]

It's a shame you have to move on the torpedo barbs but good to see you have their best interest at heart and the tank still looks great without them. They are gorgeous fish but need a lot of space. I made my own version of a python hook from parts I cobbled together from the local big box hardware store and never looked back. It gave me the guts to buy a 450L tank. I would have never done that if I was still in the bucket club. I do have the advantage though that all of my tanks, big and small, are less than 5m away from the tap.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Yeah I'm not keen on moving on fish I've committed to and I'm really going to miss them but I just can't set up another tank at the moment. Not long shut half of my tanks down due to this darn cost of living crisis. Using the buckets has never bothered me to be honest but when it comes to a full empty and refill on a big tank like that... well let's just say my enthusiasm wobbled a few times haha..

[@andreashessler838]

Hi Mate, tank looks great! I do feel for you (and your back!) water changing by bucket. Must take ages a tank that size.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Andreas. Yeah, certainly got my steps in too haha..

[@AQUAGUYUK]

Great content i do similar also use a cut down milk bottle to scoop it out

[@DanielKeepingFish]

That's a great idea. Could have saved myself a couple of quid there. I'll remember that, thanks.

[@traceya8699]

Another great video Daniel. A lot of work changing substrate but worth it in the end. It looks much better. Happy to hear you were able to rehome the Roselines but what happened to the cute little Scarlet Badis? I hope he found a new home too. Glad I'm not the only one still using buckets!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much Tracey. I popped the Badis into one of the smaller tanks. He was actually the last fish I was able to catch but he's fine. Yes we may be a dying breed but us bucheteers are still out there. ✌️haha..

[@captainwin6333]

I have to do this on my 350 sometime this year. Not looking forward to it. For filling a Juwel from scratch, I use a garden hose and stick it into the Juwel filter box and clip the hose on with a clamp. You can turn the tap full on and the water doesn't move the substrate around.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

It's a great idea. I just wasn't sure if it would be okay to use the garden hose due to what it's made of and kinda made things difficult for myself I reckon. Good luck for when you do your 350. Would definitely suggest giving yourself more time than you think you need. Frequently hold ups and mishaps which cost more time hey.

[@KingsAquariumsAndAntWorld]

Awesome video Daniel! Your certainly a pro at aquascaping!!! Got love big birtha! I know what you mean about the wood not staying put. I've got a piece and it still hasn't sunk lol. I use buckets still mate, keeps us fit and healthy mate. I didnt think your tank looked over crowded. You could always use some bactalife when starting the filter up . I use sechem prime. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Daniel: When catching fish, I find it helpful, to use two nets. I can encircle the subject, with them, or slowly corral a fish into one of them, as I’m careful not to “spook” it, into fleeing. “Big Bertha” puts me a mind of “Thing,” from The Adams Family. You said that you used 45 buckets of water, to fill the tank. Is there any reason you didn’t use your, water hose? I understand that water, from a hose tastes a bit like rubber. But, I've never found this to be an issue, when filling a large tank. Thank you for sharing this, inspiring video, on changing the substrate, in your, amazing set-up. It truly is an improvement and you’ve given me some ideas. All my best, Sincerely, E. J. Brinegar

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much E. J. Yes I dropped the water more and more and did indeed use more than one net at points. That's exactly what bothers me mate; the rubbery taste. As you say probably fine for the fish but if we can taste it then it must do something to the water which I'm not sure at this point is something I want to subject my fish to. May be nothing to be concerned about but until I understand it better I'd rather just stick to the buckets. Thanks so much for your always kind words and encouragement.

[@ejbrinegar]

Ha, ha, I just filled my, new, 75-gallon tank, using 5-gallon buckets. I'm concerned about the rubber, too mate!

[@yurty6253]

The new setup looks great. The lighter coloured gravel adds more brightness to the tank also. I've been debating with months about switching out my black gravel to a lighter sand substrate. I think I'll get cracking on it soon.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much. I was the same; was on my mind to do it for ages and finally forced myself to go for it. Glad I did. Sure you will be too. 👍

[@kwintos88]

I also switched from black to a lighter gravel.It looks way more natural now... I choose for gravel with a larger diameter about 2-4 mm and my plants doing better then ever now so no regrets here.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@kwintos88 glad it's going well for you and your plants have benefitted. Yeah I'm pretty pleased with the change too.

[@Boss-zo4lw]

Weirdly i just done this myself yesterday, changed from the black sand to natural, i must say you made it alot more harder work on yourself in a few areas lol, at least grab a 25litre bucket. Fun isnt it! PS The new substrate is a much improvement, it gets my vote!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much mate. Must have been something in the air, someone else said they changed their substrate on the same day too. Hope you're happy with yours.

[@TarasTankFriends]

Beautiful tank, Daniel! I like the new substrate looks great. That's exactly how I plant crypts, too, a little too deep and then pull them up to the right level. Your roselines are beautiful but I'm sure your making the right choice for them, and very nice that you were able to find someone to take them. We fishkeepers can never have too many buckets! 🙂👍

[@gerardoenmibarrio]

I have just subscribed to your channel. I would like a Juwel Rio 450. I am inexperienced at keeping fish having not kept any fish before. I have health issues at present so would not invest in a tank or fish as that would not be fair on the fish. But once I know how my health is going to go moving forward I would like to take up fish keeping as a full time hobby. Enjoying your videos.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Oh thank you, that's very kind. I would say if you are going to get into the hobby it's generally best to go for as big a tank as you can manage. It's more forgiving if something goes wrong when you have more water volume and we mostly want to upgrade at some point in out hobby anyway. I hope your health is improving and continues to do so.

[@laszloszocs7477]

To be honest for the water filling just use a really long hose with a strong enough pump that has enough strength to lift the water over the rim and fill and empty the tank that way i use a 1000L/h oase pump a bucket and a 10m hose to change water in all my tanks basicly i copied george farmers methog like the vids of this tank i am thinking on getting it and you are a solid source for info about it pros and cons too so ye thx :D

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I was looking at an extendable hose today actually. Reason being the closest water supply is all the way over at the other end of the house and I need something that is easy to store and not likely to be borrowed haha.. Been working on the tank today and fitting an FX filter to it which isn't as straightforward as you may think. Anything you're wanting to know about the tank hit me up. I'll do my best to answer any queries if I'm able.

[@Chanson60svinyl]

in love with your tank and fish!!! Im gonna buy this tank after my final year of uni! Id love a blood parrot, a blue Accra and a severum and a couple others. Think it'll look lovely! Did you end up putting an external filter on this?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Sorry I thought I already replied to this. Yeah they're great tanks and they are some awesome fish you're thinking about for sure. I did put an external filter on it mostly because Fluval sent me out an FX to try out. There's a couple of videos about it in my playlists. It was a nice upgrade I must admit. All the best for your studies.

[@brianhaig1971]

It's my dream set up but as you say a bit pricey for this day and age sadly doubt I'll get my dream tank . But was wondering will granite kinda help settle gh like sreyu rock does I know I spelt it wrong but hey ho

[@hraz7134]

Hi mate, funny enough I'm also thinking about rehoming my denison barbs I have 4 adults in a rio 180. I recently got 2 young angelfish and it's not working very well. The barbs are being too boisterous with the angels, swimming into them & making them dart away often. So Im thinking of either upgrading to a rio 350 or trying to re-home the barbs. I'm from the UK too, don't suppose the guy that took your lot would want 4 more? 😅

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Sorry bud I've only just seen this comment. Hope you found a solution that worked.

[@billtitmus9525]

Hi Dan, how much Safe do you dose the Rio with? Do weigh it or use a set spoon?