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Changing Gravel To Sand...!

i used the argos play sand for my new tank, i washed it outside took a while but well worth it and it looks amazing! brings out the colour of plants and fish much better than gravel
 
As everyone else has mentioned: make sure the sand is washed thoroughly! I didn't and it took a few days for my tank to clear. Not good if you have fish in there (luckily I didn't).
 
Sounds good...!
Idea... As the live plants are doing well in the gravel, was thinking of replacing the front half of the tank with play sand leaving the gravel in the back half...!
Good or bad idea...?
Tank below... image.jpg
 
Thanks mrs M, it's my first attempt and enjoying the learning curve at the mo.
 
Im thinking to have a sand "patch" rather than change all the gravel to sand......

How deep do the corys need the sand?

Sorry for hijacking this thread.. :blush:
 
I wouldn't put patches of sand in. The sand and gravel mix, every time you do your tank maintenance, and all the sand sinks under the gravel.

You're better off stripping the tank down and replacing it all, if you're going to do it.
 
just as a side note, every single one of our fish seems happier and looks more colourful since we got sand. Even the platies have been spied rooting in it.. and the frogs were wrestling last night. wouldnt ever have a gravel tank again tbh, much more fun to watch now.
 
I've just done the switch from gravel to sand, I only have a few khuli loach in there at the moment but instantly they love it!! Always burrowing and flicking it around!
My advice would be to get rid of the gravel and go for sand, looks much better than gravel and the fish love it. You wont regret it!!
 
Is it best to net fish out and do it? Or will it stress them more being in a bucket for an hour?
I think trying to get the gravel out of the tank will cause much more stress....so...
1, wash sand, thoroughly! Then wash agin and again.....
2. Net fish and put in bucket with towel over,heater and air brick in....
3.add ammo lock to bucket of fish
4. Put filter in a different bucket of used tank water so it doesnt dry out
5. Drain tank and scoop out gravel
6. Put sand in tank, fill tank with appropriate temp water(dechlorinated of course)
7. Put heater filter and fish back into tank.....

Can anyone correct any of this if it seems silly or the wrong way to do it...or anything ive missed.....
 
MrsM said:
Is it best to net fish out and do it? Or will it stress them more being in a bucket for an hour?
I think trying to get the gravel out of the tank will cause much more stress....so...
1, wash sand, thoroughly! Then wash agin and again.....
2. Net fish and put in bucket with towel over,heater and air brick in....
3.add ammo lock to bucket of fish
4. Put filter in a different bucket of used tank water so it doesnt dry out
5. Drain tank and scoop out gravel
6. Put sand in tank, fill tank with appropriate temp water(dechlorinated of course)
7. Put heater filter and fish back into tank.....

Can anyone correct any of this if it seems silly or the wrong way to do it...or anything ive missed.....
Click to expand...

doing that way you'll probably need at least five buckets at once... not a problem if you have them to hand, but be aware also that if you completely empty the tank it'll disturb the sand much more when you put the water on it rather than just lowering the sand into the water and pouring on the bottom.

i did it with fish (inc the two plecs who always hide) and 50% water still in, and soon as the first scoop of sand went in they were investigating :) its personal preference i guess. i wouldnt waste ammo lock in the bucket, they wont be in there long enough to poison themselves, also make sure heater is cold before taking in and out of water :)
 
Just reading about toxic gases being trapped in sand.....how do you avoid this? Regular turning over the sand? Someone wrote to drag your fingers through the sand, then let it settle for an hour or so and siphon over the top of the sand without touching the sand...is this correct? And im assuming this is the alternitive to gravel cleaning with the vacuum?
 
I took a bucket of tank water out, then put all my plants in the bucket and removed rocks and other stuffs just leaving gravel and fish. Then I took more water out leaving about 50% behind. Then scooped out all the gravel and slowly placed the sand in the tank using a medium sized jug, fish were fine, they stayed at the back of the tank while I poured in the sand at the front and then just spread it around.
 
Do i leave the filter running if i do it that way? will floating sand clog up the filter, i know alot of the debris from the new sand should have been washed away but im sure there will be a bit od sand floating around.....
 
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