Changing to sand

[tttnjfttt]

Until I joined here, I didn't know I could use sand as a substrate in my tank. I really like this idea, and would like to do it, with minimum stress on my fish. My tank is about 2.5 weeks old, 20 US gallons. I initially had 3 zebra danios in it. A week ago I added 3 tiger barbs and 2 more danios. Because the barbs were getting too agressive, 4 days ago i had to add 4 more barbs (unfortunately from a chain store) without being able to quarentine them first. As of today, all the fish eat like pigs when I feed them, all active, and no signs of disease, ammonia and nitrite are both zero, pH - 7.2. Can I safely switch my tank to sand now or should I leave it become more established for another week or two? I do have an over the side filter wiht a new spounge in it AND my 5 gal spounge from my old tank/hospital tank.

Nicole

 

[nitro]

I would perhaps leave it a couple more weeeks before switching to sand just to be safe.

Read this sticky about changing to sand as well. Very helpful.

Sand

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd do it ASAP before the gravel gets too inhabited by bacteria. I'd probably move the fish to a bucket, empty out as much water as possible then scoop the gravel out. Then put your (washed) sand in, fill with water and put fish and deco back in. If anyone comes up with something better, be my guest

 

[tttnjfttt]

I actually found Wolf's sticky post when I first started coming and liked it so much I bookmarked it. He's got some great advice! Any more opinions?

 

[Bloo]

Sand is really lovely, but be prepared to learn to live with fish poo resting on your sand unlike gravel where it sifts down. Also remember to lightly run your finger (or stick or whatever) lightly through the sand on a weekly basis to prevent it from compacting - especially under pieces of wood, rock etc.

I don't think it matters that much when you change as the majority of bacteria lives in your filter. But in my opinion I'd wait till your tank is fully cycled now before changing over. Cycling with fish is stressful on your fish as it is - you really should not add any more stress to what they have to deal with already.

 

[tttnjfttt]

bloozoo2,

I thought cycling was over when ammonia and nitrites are at zero. I have never gotten a reading above zero for either nitrites or ammonia since I introduced these fish. I tried to add fish slowly; the three danios from my old tank first, then two more danios, a few days latter the barbs, then because the barbs were REALLY beating up on each other, I had to add more barbs very quickly for the fish's safety. I have been watching the water really closely right now, and absolutely nothing.

Nicole

EDIT: I have the spounge from the 5 gal. tank in the filter as well, whihc was fully cycled for almost 10 months before my upgrade.

 

[Bloo]

Well in that case, I say go for it

 

[tttnjfttt]

Well, I've decided to change to sand, but I'm gonna wait a week or so, since I'm seeing a barb that is acting wierd, no clue why, only obvious sign besides behavior is breathing fast, but I put a post about this in the emergency section, so I'll not go into detail again...

 

[maxpayne_lhp]

Well, I am also thinking about switching... however, it's a lil dangerous...

 

[Bloo]

Dangerous how

 

[-*-MicHAeL-*-]

i have a mixture of patches of sand and patches of gravel in my tank, i wasnt aware that this was dangerous.

by the way my corys love the sand