Changing From Gravel To Sand?

[millie1]

my tank is gravel as my mum prefered it (her living room her rules )

i was wondering thuogh - can it actually be changed now? there are fish in the tank.....

can you take them out, change the gravel to sand without disrupting them too much??+the water would be really cloudy??
Dont worry - i havent done anyhting yet and wouldnt dare if it would harm my fish

this is the tank when i first set it up

i was thinking black sand,,,,

 

[doresy]

Yes of course it can be done.

Very roughly like this.....

Aquire a vessle to contain some of the water like a big bucket. Rinse out the chosen sand time and time again. The more rinsing the less time for water to clear once in the tank. No shortcuts!!

Switch off all power
Gently remove all plants and decorations etc,
Remove half the water and use it to fill the bucket/s
Net fish and place in bags (from LFS or freezer bags)
Float bags in the bucket of water.
Remove heater and filter. Place filter in the bucket to keep wet (don't switch on.)
Remove rest of water and gravel (don't drag it up the sides it WILL scratch)
Once tank is clean place the sand in then fill with new dechlorinated water.
Replace decs and plants
Install the heater then switch on after 5 minutes.
Once temperature rises to somewhere near normal install filter and switch on
Once temperature has stabilized gently lift bags of fish out of the bucket and float them in the tank as you would new fish.
Releasing them after 20-30 minutes.
Don't switch on the tank lights of feed for about 24 hours.
Water can take upto 2 weeks to clear completely

*Note* Putting the fish in bags saves netting them twice and makes it easier to acclimatise when replacing them. Preparing the sand before hand cuts down on 'fish out of the tank' time.
Providing the buckets containing the bagged fish is kept in a warm and quiet place then they will be ok for time taken but don't hang around......I am of course assuming you have none too delicate fish?

Hope this summary helps....(good move BTW!)

 

[OzeN]

simple clear instructions.. i like it

 

[millie1]

thankyou

brilliant instructions!!!

cani just ask though - i have an external filter - can i just leav it attacthed??

and the heater.... can i just not leave that on the side???

really dont fancy unplugging and restarting that filter lol!!!




p.s - black sand or lighter coloured

im thinking black but views are welcome!!!!

i would have gone with sand but my mother influenced me! whoooo now decided she prefers marine fish lmao!

 

[doresy]

After writing all that I had a closer look at your picture and realised it had an external. Yes, I guess the filter can be left in place but the internals must remain wet and block the intake. I only suggested taking out the heater to lessen the risk of damage, Just remember to switch it off and also to leave it in the new water for 5 minutes before switching on again.

I use lighter sand mainly because playsand from Argos is only £3 a 15kg bag. Black sand will be far more but is prefered by many to bring out the colour in fish.
Just don't be tempted by the sharp black quartz if you have or are getting cory etc, (I had it in the begining, in fact I still have splinters from the wretched stuff )

 

[millie1]

thanks

im thinking black sand because of the tank is black and will really show the fish up more as i dont have any black fish ......

 

[doresy]

thanks

im thinking black sand because of the tank is black and will really show the fish up more as i dont have any black fish ......

No, that's good Maybe I might go to black when (or if) I convert my tank to Cichlids for the same reason....

What fish do you have?

 

[millie1]

rainbows, congo tetras, guppys - all of which im thinking ofgetting rid.....

2x plecs - golden spot (i think..)

gourami - x3 - 2dwarf n 1 normal

ive seen a few tanks with light san and it looks brilliant - so now im not sure lol