Changing From Gravel To Sand

[Westy269]

Hi i have been keeping fish for years now, but i have been looking at changing my gravel for sand. I have been reading other topics, but they all say different thing so i would like to know what is best for my tank.
http://yfrog.com/1xaveostill0022p
(15 gallons)
As you can see i have:
A lobster
Plec
Angel
Guppies
1 neon tetra (his friends died)
1 Zebra Danio (his friends also all died, he is probably 5 years old now)

I have been trying to let them die off, if that makes sense, i haven't restocked fish for a while now.
I would like to know if it is ok to change to sand while i have the fish i have, also what sand should i use.
Also I have a under gravel Filtration system, i know i have to change this so i was thinking of going for a small external filtration system, so any recommendations, or should i just go with a trustworthy Fluval filtration system
Thanks

 

[Carlovel1]

You shouldnt have an angel in a 15 gallon , the lobster shouldnt be in a community tank either.
You could change to black sand and buy the Fluval 105

 

[Westy269]

First of all A angle only requires a 10 gallon tank.
Second of all a Lobster is a scavenger and will not take live fish, Dieing weak fish yes but not healthy fish, also if u keep him well feed he will not need to take a fish.

 

[Carlovel1]

Angelfish require a minimum of 20 Gallons. The tank should be long in height as angelfish can grow very big.
Lobsters will catch any fish near them, be it big or small, nothing is a match for a pair of huge long pincers

 

[Liverbird36]

I looked into getting Lobsters but was informed that they need to be in a species only tank preferably with a tank size of around 4ft.

 

[elisew]

Sorry but I have to agree with Carl and Liverbird.

Angelfish need much bigger than 10G and a lobster will definitely take any fish, not just sick or weak ones. My best friend lost pretty much a whole tank of fish to her lobster because she along with many others was ill informed by a crap fish shop, her fish were anything but sick or weak.....it was a costly lesson for her to learn.

She now has her Blue in a 4ft tank.

But, I guess you either take advice or you don`t, up to you at the end of the day.

 

[Flagtail]

Hello and welcome to the site!

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Westy.
Back to the beginning. You can indeed do a substrate change with fish in the tank if you are careful to make sure the new substrate has been thoroughly cleaned. An undergravel filter does add a bit of complexity though. In your case I would set up that new external and run it for at least 6 weeks or longer before doing anything else. Since you are going to be removing an undergravel filter in the process, you will need to move the fish to a bucket while you do it. The problem with the undergravel filter is the build up that will have happened under the filter plate. It can't just be left there to rot and ruin your water quality and it can make quite a mess while you are cleaning under there.
After the new filter has been given time to cycle properly, try it this way.
1. Drain about 5 gallons of water into a bucket and move your external and the fish to that bucket.
2. Remove the remaining water and all of the gravel substrate.
3. Remove the filter plate and take the tank outdoors to clean it. The bathtub will work but it is harder to do there.
4. Place well washed sand into the clean tank with it back in place on the stand.
5. Fill the tank 2/3 full of water and dechlorinate that water.
6. Move the fish, filter and remaining water back over from the bucket to the clean tank.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Westy269

Welcome to the forum!

I will be moving your thread to the Tropical Discussion section. Please validate your membership by clicking on the link in the email we sent to you.