Hey guys i have a 46 gallon tank it has been set up for months and i want to switch from gravel to sand. I would like if somone can help me and point me in the right direction to see what i should do. Also i live in Houston, Texas and i have been to a couple of petcos and petsmart and none of them sell sand so if someone can tell me where i can buy sand i would be very tankful. Thanks for any help!!!
Gravel to Sand
- Thread starter DarkAngel
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GSD
Fish Gatherer
yeah you can buy ordinary kids playsand in large bags very cheap.
make sure you wash it really well or your tank will go cloudy
make sure you wash it really well or your tank will go cloudy
rixy
Fish Herder
i changed from gravel to sand about a month ago.best thing i ever did.
I recently set up my new 55 gallon with sand and I much prefer it.
All of the kid's play sand I found said 'not for use in aquarium'. You have to be careful to get sand that is inert, else your Ph is going to skyrocket through the roof. Try and get hold of silica sand, also known as 'pool filter sand'.
Take your fish out of the tank and put them in a bucket with a small heater and air stone (if you can). Remove all the water and decorations and gravel from the tank.
Pour some sand into a bucket til it's about 1/3 full. Hook up a garden hose and fill the bucket with water. Swish the sand around with your hand lots. Empty the water out and then put the hose back in, let the water flow through the sand some more, continuously stirring the sand with your hand. Do this until the water that overflows the bucket is running clear. Empty the water out, put the sand into the aquarium. Repeat until all the sand is washed and in the aquarium. This can take a while, but the more you swill it around the quicker it goes.
When you refill your aquarium, the water will still be a little cloudy but don't worry, it will settle.
Oh, and I just through of something. Since you're switching from an already established aquarium, you should probably keep your filter running. If you have a spare aquarium set up you should run it on that while you're working.
All of the kid's play sand I found said 'not for use in aquarium'. You have to be careful to get sand that is inert, else your Ph is going to skyrocket through the roof. Try and get hold of silica sand, also known as 'pool filter sand'.
Take your fish out of the tank and put them in a bucket with a small heater and air stone (if you can). Remove all the water and decorations and gravel from the tank.
Pour some sand into a bucket til it's about 1/3 full. Hook up a garden hose and fill the bucket with water. Swish the sand around with your hand lots. Empty the water out and then put the hose back in, let the water flow through the sand some more, continuously stirring the sand with your hand. Do this until the water that overflows the bucket is running clear. Empty the water out, put the sand into the aquarium. Repeat until all the sand is washed and in the aquarium. This can take a while, but the more you swill it around the quicker it goes.
When you refill your aquarium, the water will still be a little cloudy but don't worry, it will settle.
Oh, and I just through of something. Since you're switching from an already established aquarium, you should probably keep your filter running. If you have a spare aquarium set up you should run it on that while you're working.
GuppyDude
Stephen
sand it great, easy to clean and doesn't hold ammonia, just gotta make sure its all clean or yes you will have one very cloudy tank 
Polardbear
Fish Addict
I bought mine at Home Depot.
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