Changing from Gravel to Sand?

[Luke_e]

Hello.
I currently have gravel in my tank, and the colour is starting to come off it,a nd after seeing lots of tanks on here with sand, i think i'd much rather have a sand tank. I was wondering if anyone in the past has done this and how difficult is it, and how to keep your fish happy whilst doing the change over...
Thank you.

 

[houndour]

Theres a pinned topic here that may help:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

 

[WILDER]

I would remove the fish while you change it, Iv'e heard people of burying fish while changing it, i wanted sand, but i changed my mind when you can see all the waste on it.

 

[Synirr]

It's definitely an undertaking to change substrates, but well worth it! I switched my 10 gallon community over to sand a while back and have never regretted it. I never notice the waste on it, and it's sooooo much easier to clean! The way I did it was to completely dismantle the tank, keeping the fish in a couple of bowls until I was done making the switch.

 

[Luke_e]

Theres a pinned topic here that may help:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

I would remove the fish while you change it, Iv'e heard people of burying fish while changing it, i wanted sand, but i changed my mind when you can see all the waste on it.

It's definitely an undertaking to change substrates, but well worth it! I switched my 10 gallon community over to sand a while back and have never regretted it. I never notice the waste on it, and it's sooooo much easier to clean! The way I did it was to completely dismantle the tank, keeping the fish in a couple of bowls until I was done making the switch.

[houndour] Thanks ,i didn't see that .

[Wilder] Thanks, an yea i would of removed them any way, as i'm prone to making mistakes (but who isnt). If i get a dark sand the poop wouldn't show up, but even if it did it would allow me to see it easier.

[Synirr] Thanks, i think it would be worth the effort, and i'm sure it would give my tank a more natural look, as i was wanting to change my tanks theme anyway, and this would allow me to use bogwood and such as it would go well with the sand. You said you completly dismantled the tank, do you mean just take everything out and changing subtrate?

Thanks all.
EDIT: [Synirr] i just read the link hondour gave me, so i have instructions on how to do it. Thanks.

 

[Clairel]

My brother changed from gravel to sand, he has a 180 Litre Juwel Vision, he took 3/4 of the water out, put it in a large bin (fish use only) with the heater, and added his fish....

He then discarded the remainding 1/4 of water, and gravel....

Put in his sand, 3/4 saved water and then added 1/4 new dechlorinated water, and fish...and hey presto all done !!

Good Luck

Ive got sand in my large tank, it looks lovely

C x