Gravel To Sand?

[Gaz_S]

Im thinking about replacing my natural gravel and slate to sand and root. Sand just seems to look more natural and I think my bottom feeders would prefer it (Corys and Khulis). I was thinking about putting my fish in a black container with filter, heater, some pvc pipe (hidingplaces), driftwood and plants. Ill transfer the water between tank to container to tank again i would like some advice if anyone has easier processes or whether it isnt worth upsetting my tank.

thanks

Gaz

 

[Ben M]

hi, i'd definitely go ahead and change to sand, the corys and kuhlis will love it. it helps to remove the fish to stop them from being stressed. you can use play sand from toys r us, argos or any other shop that sells it. pre wash the sand to remove any dust. i half filled a bucket with sand then squirted a hosepipe into the bucket mixing the sand around a lot. when the bucket is full, leave for a few seconds for the sand to settle, then tip out the dirty water. repeat until the water is clear. then once you have cleaned enough sand, put the fish in the container(WITH A LID), remove the gravel from the tank, (you could do this before washing the sand, but it would mean leaving the fish in a tub for longer), and leave the tank until all of the debris floating around in the tank settles and the water is clean. then suck up all of the rubbish off the bottom and TURN OFF THE FILTER. then add the sand. mix the sand around a bit to get rid of any air pockets (keep doing this regularly all the time you are using sand, as gases can build up). then add plants and ornaments, and when the sand has totally settled, turn the filter back on. then return the fish, and top up the tank.

HTH.

 

[Dan-CR4]

I got my (play)sand from my local B&Q, cost £4. I will tell you that it is rather dirty stuff and needs a good cleaning, but once done, it does look good. I have heard that the Argos Sand is quite clean. So all the play sands aint the same. It took me a good few hours to clean my sand throughly, doing 1/2 bucket at a time. So be aware some may need washing more than others, but its better than paying 5 times as much, and it takes up an afternoon of any spare time you got.

I got gravel in my coldwater and sand in my tropical, and I would not change my sand for gravel, it looks better and more natural than some of the bright coloured gravel thats out there. So I would say yes go ahead with the sand change.

The way you said you will do it sounds fine to me, I have read a few people that have done it like that. as long as the container is big enough for the fish and its kept filtered and heated, I dont see there being a problem. Depends really on how big your tank is and how long it will take to empty, clean, and refil.

 

[Gaz_S]

Thanks for your feedback! Ill be definately going ahead with it now ive found a large enough container infact it used to do my dads 6ft tank. Probably next week if i can find a nice piece of root at a decent price. I was abit concerned about the gases building up heard it was sulphur which can be really harmful but sure my khulis will keep the sand moving will do some reading up.

thank you!

Gaz

 

[wetdog]

got my sand from argos and didnt need much cleaning at all.

well worth the effort in my opinion

mick.

 

[karin]

I really didn't think that sand would make such a difference to Corys. My word, they are so much more active, playful and busy working the sand and I swear their whiskers (I know there is a technical name...barbels?) have grown noticeably. Sand is the way to go for Corys.

I have a natural looking sand that I got from Home Depot, washed it a hundred times, but now pretty easy to maintain.

 

[Dan-CR4]

I was abit concerned about the gases building up heard it was sulphur which can be really harmful but sure my khulis will keep the sand moving will do some reading up.
ravelhan g
thank you!

Gaz

Hi Gaz,

I just run my hand through the sand when doing my weekly clean, also I got some Malaysian Trumpet Snails as cheap labour that work the sand for me as well, in between my cleaning routine. So far I have found sand easier than gravel in cleaning.

Keep us updated when you have switeched over and maybe try and put some pictures up of before and after, of what your tanl looks like. If you got time do a pictured tutorial while you are doing the change and post it up, so people can see how you did it, if they wanted to change over to sand.

Danny

 

[wetdog]

good point, my corys are also more active on the sand.

mick.

 

[Gaz_S]

Cheers! How are the substrate vacs with sad i was told it can take up some sand. I will probably get some pics up but this will may not happen for a few week untill i can find a nice piece of root and convincing the girlfriend, it may happen whilst shes at work ha.

Gaz

 

[ellena]

You just hover over the sand and pick bits up. I've heard others say they swirl it around a bit, but I haven't had to do this. If you suck some up, either put it back or keep some to top up every so often-it's only tiny amounts.

 

[kelly528]

I think the likelihood of sucking up sand during gravel vacs is highly dependant on the sand you use. For instance I use 3M ColorQuartz (love it!) and it is 'heavier' than most sands and therefore stays on the bottom. Due to my inexperience I suck up about 1/8 of a teaspoon of sand each time I clean it but hey no biggie... just wait until the sand sticking to the bottom of the bucket is dry and dump it back into the tank.