Changing my 55 gallon tank from gravel to sand, any help would be appreciated.
- Thread starter Retired Viking
- Start date
You will need to completely drain the tank. Remove all fish, plants, decor, etc.
Remove the fish and plants
Remove the gravel
Siphon up the gunk and drain the tank about halfway or more (not all the way, best to leave some water in)
Add sand slowly in handfuls to the bottom of the tank. It will be cloudy.
Refill the tank carefully so you dont disturbed sand (I use a bowl to pour the water in)
Add fish
Remove the gravel
Siphon up the gunk and drain the tank about halfway or more (not all the way, best to leave some water in)
Add sand slowly in handfuls to the bottom of the tank. It will be cloudy.
Refill the tank carefully so you dont disturbed sand (I use a bowl to pour the water in)
Add fish
He will need to add the sand, and then fill it all the way up with tap water. Then he needs to drain the tank almost all the way. Then he needs to fill the tank up with de chlorinated water.
This will help the water get more clear.
You do not want to leave any water in the tank. For one thing, it will be filthy dirty. For another, full of ammonia and possibly worse.
I've done this many, many times. You need to set up a temporary tank for the fish so they can live there, and it is best to plan on a few days just so you won't be rushed. I move the filter and heater to the temp "as is," and put a couple of chunks of wood from the main tank in so the fish won't be stressed as much, and plants can be laid on the surface. Sipon water from the main tank for the temporary, from the top and before you start removing anything. Then move over what is needed, and net over the fish.
Drain the main tank, scoop out all the gravel (it will need to go somewhere...). Wash the tank (water is fine, good chance to clean the back and side panes of algae). Rinse the sand bit by bit, dump it in until you have the level you want. Arrange the hardscape. Then fill the tank with tap water to maybe half, or a little less, and plant the substrate plants. This stirs up the sand, so drain the tank completely when finished and refill with tap water at the desired temp, use conditioner. With the fish in a temp tank you can take your time, and tweak. Net the fish back over, leave all the old water in the temp tank.
I've done this many, many times. You need to set up a temporary tank for the fish so they can live there, and it is best to plan on a few days just so you won't be rushed. I move the filter and heater to the temp "as is," and put a couple of chunks of wood from the main tank in so the fish won't be stressed as much, and plants can be laid on the surface. Sipon water from the main tank for the temporary, from the top and before you start removing anything. Then move over what is needed, and net over the fish.
Drain the main tank, scoop out all the gravel (it will need to go somewhere...). Wash the tank (water is fine, good chance to clean the back and side panes of algae). Rinse the sand bit by bit, dump it in until you have the level you want. Arrange the hardscape. Then fill the tank with tap water to maybe half, or a little less, and plant the substrate plants. This stirs up the sand, so drain the tank completely when finished and refill with tap water at the desired temp, use conditioner. With the fish in a temp tank you can take your time, and tweak. Net the fish back over, leave all the old water in the temp tank.
OP
OP
Retired Viking
Fish Connoisseur
Thanks @Byron. @JuiceBox52 and @PheonixKingZ . I have some 20 gallon plastic bins that I was going to drain 1/2 the tank water into for the fish and plants/tree stumps. Getting the UGF cleaned may be a mess but I did do deep vacuuming so hope that will not be too bad. The plastic bins are dark so I was thinking that will help not stress the fish. I picked up a tank divider so I can herd the fish into a smaller area to catch. I was going to remove 1/2 the water into the bins then the plants and stumps, then the fish and then the gravel (I have a couple of buckets) and finally the UGF and then wash down the tank with tap water. How does the sound?
Sounds good
Sounds good.
OP
OP
Retired Viking
Fish Connoisseur
Now for adding sand, how deep should the sand be? Is there a danger of organic pockets forming in the sand if it is too deep?
No more than an inch and a half I'd say.
Depending on your water parameters you could add some corydoras or loaches to help stir up the sand in the open areas
Depending on your water parameters you could add some corydoras or loaches to help stir up the sand in the open areas
There is a slight danger...
I have around 1.5 inches of sand in my 29g tank. I have healthy plants and no pockets.
But, I also have 2 inches of sand in my 10g tank. The plants are more healthy, because of the fact that there is more sand. I know you have Anacharis, that’s why I suggest 1.5 - 2 inches of sand in all the bottom.
OP
OP
Retired Viking
Fish Connoisseur
I have albino cory besides the tetra, I need to pick up a few more once my tank is setup and re-cycled. I have been trying to purchase some fast growing plants to make sure I have enough for a planted cycle. I may have to pick up a bottle of Tetra SafeStart plus to be safe. I have a sponge filter sitting in my fry tank soaking up bacteria.No more than an inch and a half I'd say.
Depending on your water parameters you could add some corydoras or loaches to help stir up the sand in the open areas
OP
OP
Retired Viking
Fish Connoisseur
I have some anacharis but maybe not enough for 30 small fish. The LFS just received some hornwort so I plan on picking up some of that if it is still in stock.
The UGF will have to be taken out, you cannot use these with sand. Not sure from above if this is understood, just making sure.
Yes he said he is switching to a sponge filter
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