Adding Sand....

[Ali-Jack]

Just a quick one. I have added fish to my new properly cycled tank in the last few days, but am toying with the idea of changing my substrate from fine gravel to sand. I've sifted through the posts so know how to clean it, but what's the best way to actually add it with fish and gravel already in the tank?
Obviously i need to remove the gravel first and then add the sand. Can this all be done without harming the fish? All advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mike455555]

net the fish out into buckets (saves them the stress) and makes it easier for you save around 50% of the water if you can
drain the water in the tank so theres an ~inch left in it then empty the gravel.
put the prewashed sand in. and scape the tank to how you want it. add plants and what ever else your putting in it
refill the tank with old water top it up with some new add the filter and heater back in and put the fish back in

 

[alistairw]

net the fish out into buckets (saves them the stress) and makes it easier for you save around 50% of the water if you can
drain the water in the tank so theres an ~inch left in it then empty the gravel.
put the prewashed sand in. and scape the tank to how you want it. add plants and what ever else your putting in it
refill the tank with old water top it up with some new add the filter and heater back in and put the fish back in

This is exactly what i wanted to know!

I have gravel (a black rounded type) and i like the look of the sand that I have seen in posts.

Good question Ali-Jack!

Al

 

[fishprotector]

I changed my 300l from play sand to limpopo with the fish still in. I just syphoned the old stuff out and careful put the new stuff in one corner and hen flattened it out. Pictus are a pain to catch in a glass and I did not fancy catching four of them! No fish were harmed at all.

The other factor you need to think about though is the length of time the gravel has been down without being cleaned properly as if it has been a while, when you move it it may release lots of crap into the water.

Edit, just reread original post and its a fairly new tank so my second point is not very valid.

 

[allan078]

I wouldn't spend too much time arranging the sand while the water is out - unless you are willing to spend a LOT of time pouring the water back in. Pour it too fast (IE not trickling!) it will send your sand flying. I just arrange it once the water is back in using either a hand or an aquarium glass scraper thing.

 

[fishprotector]

Or just put a bowl in the tank on the substrate and point the hosepipe in to it, that way the sand will not be disturbed too much as the water will fill the bowl then roll over its edges, thus reducing the height it falls from onto the sand.

 

[Ali-Jack]

Thanks for the replies guys. Quick query, as i've cyclyed my filter and don't want to have to start the process all over again, will the bacteria be ok if i just remove the filter and place it submerged in a bowl of tank water while i go about changing from gravel to sand?

 

[fishprotector]

Yes the filter bacteria will be ok for a couple of hours in a bowl of tank water. You only really start loosing significant levels after 24 hours of oxygen and food starvation

 

[Ali-Jack]

Cheers Fishprotector. Last question Should i just add sand and nothing else, or srart with a thin layer of clean new gravel and then sand on top?

 

[fishprotector]

No problems. Unless you want to end up with the gravel on top as the sand falls through, then I would just put sand in. Saying that, I have got sand, patches of gravel on top and then pebbles in my river tank for the river base effect and it looks good. Suppose it depends on your aims.

 

[Ali-Jack]

Really appreciate all your advice mate. Thank you loads for your time