Converting tank from planted to african help plz..

[Marx]

can i empty 60% water or more then add crush coral to my substrate mixing it together then fill the tank back up and add rocks? will mixing the substrate stir up to much stuff and kill tank bacteria?

will i lose the cycle of the tank?

any suggestions / help?

[BigDaddy]

The highest concentrations of bacteria in your tank live in the filter.  As long as you don't interfere with that, you don't have to worry about cycling.

The risk with mixing up the substrate is that you may release a lot of NH4 (ammonia) into the water column.  I'd do ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests just to be sure before adding fish again.

[Marx]

Ok thanks so i have to be carefull even pulling plants correct?

or i can kill the fish in the tank..