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**fishingaddict** · 08-13-2007, 03:42 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

ive changed from sand to gravel for my 125 with fish still in it and had no problems.. just that the water will get a lil cloudy and dirty. no problems though.

i dont think theres an easy way to do a substrate change.. just gotta grind it out. on the other hand ive heard an easy way to put sand in without getting the water too messy is to have some kind of pipe to pour the sand down straight to the bottom of the sand. that way the sand doesnt get all mixd up in the water.

**Mzungu** · 08-13-2007, 03:43 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

I would wait a little bit, if I were you. Just because of the trauma the fish have had lately with the disease outbreak (still trying to figure that one out...) Also, you still have some nitrites, so your tank seems as though it's not fully cycled. A large percentage of the beneficial bacteria will be in your gravel, as well as your filter, so yes, it's possible that you will start the cycle all over again.

There's really no easy way to do it, though. I would recommend moving all of your fish. Sometimes anaerobic pockets can form in the gravel (usually takes time, but just to be sure) and release H2S, which is smelly and really harmful to fishes. But, they'll only be in the 10 gallon for a little bit, so it won't hurt.

**CatFishLady** · 08-13-2007, 04:06 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

Yeah, I agree Mzungu.

We just got a 75gal (I think, the guy we got it from said it's 100gal..but I don't think so!). I'll just start that tank with the sand so I don't have to worry about my fish being any more stressed than they already are

What's the best type of sand for a community tank? Like the one I have currently?

**Zulaab** · 08-13-2007, 04:36 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

Here is how I would do it.

1. Be aware that your gravel today contains many of the bacteria that you need to process your fish waste.
2. I would most likely go with live sand as a replacement as it already has the bacteria. - If you look in the General Freshwater Fish Discussion, under the subject Lamprologus ocellatus you will see the link Mzungu left for me regarding sand for my sand dwellers that I am thinking about getting. This will minimize the time on cycling the tank.
3. Here is how I would do it. If you dont want to move your fish here is how I would take care of it.
- items to get first.
- Get your sand readied first. Make sure its ready to go in the tank. If you decide to use the eco ready sand its already ready to go still in the bag. - else have your gravel cleaned and readied.
- Goto Walmart or somewhere alike and get some sort of SOLID tank divider. This is so you will leave the least amount of stress on the fish. If they cant see you working one half the tank they will not be stressing out of all the things going on.
- Goto your kitchen and get a strainer. This is bring the gravel out... not the water.
- Get a bucket or two.. depending on much gravel you have.

a. Remove all decorations - plants in the tank. if you have plants put them in water in a bowl or something like that.
b. Do a good cleaning of the gravel as if you where going to do a water change, ie remove as much dirt and debris out of the tank first
c. Install in divider in the tank pushing all the fish to the other side. Remember to install something that will hold it in place while working as you dont want to hold on to the divider while you are working on the tank.
d. Drop the strainer to the bottom of the tank on the non-fish side. Slowly scoop all the gravel out into the strainer removing it SLOWLY from the aquarium. You dont want to make the water all cloudy.
e. Once one side is done. Move the fish to the clean side. Do the job on the other side.
f. Now you should have an empty tank of gravel. If you use the eco sand then I would drop sand inside the bag to the bottom of the non fish side. Open the bag under water and pour the sand out. Repeat until you have the desired level of subtract. Wait until dust has settled.. should not be long.
f2. If you decide to use something besides eco sand, make sure that its has been prewashed for all dust. And then use a small bucket, or tall glass/cup to slowly transfer full buckets/cups/glass of sand back into the tank. You are trying to avoid dropping the sand from any elevation so to minimize the blow up of sand all around.
g. Move the fish over the sand area and complete the other side. When done remove the tank divider.
h. Put your decorations and plants back in. Fill water back in the tank to the desired level and this way the fish will have some fresh water to swim in too.

I believe this will be the best and easiest way not to take out the fish and the least stressful for them.
Hope this helps

**PhishPhreek** · 08-13-2007, 08:27 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

Well CFL
There is just no way around it. You just have to buy another tank.
add the sand after you've rinced it fo 4 hours. Add a new filter that has the pump after the filter material so the sand won't ruin your pump.
Move the plants and other decorations and after the new tank is finished cycling move the fish. Then you can sell the old tank to one of us here on the fish box

**Mzungu** · 08-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

We just got a 75gal (I think, the guy we got it from said it's 100gal..but I don't think so!). I'll just start that tank with the sand so I don't have to worry about my fish being any more stressed than they already are

Well, that solves it all!

If you'd like, get the dimensions of your tank and input them here. It'll automatically calculate the volume of the tank for you, as long as it's a rectangle. :)

What's the best type of sand for a community tank? Like the one I have currently?

Like Zulaab said, the Eco sand is pretty neat. But, there are also lots of cheap types of sand out there. Pool filter sand has received good reviews here on HFB. Or, a tip from fishlady, go to Home Depot / Lowes and get some Paver's sand. I think it all depends on what you like, and what you're willing to spend. Some people have had problems with play sand and Tahitian Moon because grains got in the filter and messed up the impellor. I've never had a problem with it, but I don't think that's the norm. So you're probably better off with something like pool filter sand, which is heavier and larger grained, if you go for the cheap option. :)

**CatFishLady** · 08-15-2007, 11:55 AM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

I went with Tahitian Moon Sand, still in the process of cleaning it. It's going in the 75gal.

I've decided to wait until the 75gal is cycled to move my 55gal fish over so I can convert to sand in that tank. I'm going to probably go with the white sand or pool (silca) sand. We looked at that and I really liked it.

**CatFishLady** · 09-04-2007, 11:39 AM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

I converted my gravel to "sandblasting silca #00" this weekend. I got the sand/gravel from Gartex Masonry Supply in Dallas (Plano Rd close to 635). 100 lb bag for around $12.

It was fairly simple really. I didn't remove my fish. Here's how I did it:

1) Cleaned filter media (in water i removed from the tank) and removed the filter syphon thingy off the inside of the tank so it would suck up more "crud"
2) Scooped some new sand into 5gal bucket...rinse rinse rinse (repeated several times)
3) Move plants and rocks to one side of tank, scoop out gravel, did the same on the other side of the tank
4) Add new clean sand to one side, move 'stuff' to the side with new sand and repeat on other side
5) Smoothed out sand, put rocks and plants back in place

Within 30 minutes I fed the fish and they were a bit skidish but finally came out and ate.

That same day however, my a/c went out and I haven't had a/c for the past 2 days. So last night I took a look in the tank and everyone is hanging out at the bottom...not too much movement (they did come out to eat though)...temp is around 85-86F right now. The 75gal is the same temp. The 5gal is much higher, it's around the 90's. A/C will be fixed today....Will they be alright?

**Mzungu** · 09-04-2007, 11:48 AM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

Ugh, no A/C, I'm so sorry! If you have a few more air pumps, put them in there to get the "air" flowing, since it's pretty warm in there. And maybe turn off the tank lights until the A/C comes back, just to minimize the heat going into the tank.

**CatFishLady** · 09-04-2007, 11:51 AM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

I haven't had the lights on ANY tanks since the a/c went out. They both larger tanks back walls are completely air bubbled. The smaller one has 1 little air thingy in it. Poor guys...I hope that don't die on me :(

Just got a call...AC man is on his way to the house...hopefully the tanks will be able to cool off pretty quick

ray:

**CatFishLady** · 09-04-2007, 02:10 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

AC is fixed :dance:

**Zulaab** · 09-04-2007, 02:16 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

I had to put a small ice block in my 5.5 to cool it down when it happen to me

**Mzungu** · 09-04-2007, 02:35 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

Greatness! Glad everything's back.

**CatFishLady** · 09-04-2007, 02:38 PM

Re: From Gravel to Sand?

My bf was saying to put ice cubes in the tank...I didn't think that would be very safe???

How about doing a 1/3 water change when I get home?? Do you think that will put them in shock? Temp from tap is 80F....

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