Changing Substrate

andspenka · Jul 14, 2011

What's the best way to change from gravel to sand? Is it possible to do without emptying the tank or is that just unfeasible?

Also, any idea how much I would need for a 100 x 40 x 55 cm tank?

Cheers

StandbySetting · Jul 14, 2011

It depends on the desired substrate depth but if you want an average depth of 5cm you'll require 32Kg of sand:

(100*40*5)/1000 = 20 dcm[sup]-3[/sup] (litres), dry silica sand has a density of 1.6Kg per dcm[sup]-3[/sup] so therefore 20dcm[sup]-3[/sup]*1.6 Kg dcm[sup]-3[/sup] =32Kg

minnnt · Jul 14, 2011

The water will need to be removed for the best results i'm afraid. Normally fill a few buckets up with the tank water, add fish to the bucket then start removing the water. Remove the gravel, clean all the tank inside and out then put the sand in. Fill with warm dechlorinated water poured onto a plate or something to try and stop the disturbance of the sand then add any decor as you go. Ensure the tank is upto temperature and add the fish back in. Clean your filter a few days later to remove any sand particles it has removed as this will eventually damage your motor/propellor.

Good luck! :good:

KkAaNnEe · Jul 14, 2011

Unfortunately you will prob need to drain, especially when going from gravel to sand as gravel leaves so much debris behind, unless you want messy sand lol

Proxo · Jul 14, 2011

I done a switch from gravel to sand without removing the fish, took 2 days though.

Day 1: Removed alot of water, removed gravel, filled back up.
Day 2: Cleaned sand, removed alot of water, pour sand in slowely, filled back up.

I did this on a 240L and a 90L tank, the 240 was pretty messy when removing the gravel.

KISSfn · Jul 15, 2011

Can it be done on the same day with fish in if: 1. Gravel is vacuumed thoroughly before removal. 2. Sand has already been cleaned and soaking in a bucket of dechlorinated water. 3. Sand is added very slowly in a wet state with a relatively small container lowered to tank bottom and slowly poured out?

I need to know as I was planning on doing this today!

KkAaNnEe · Jul 15, 2011

No problem i think Proxo just didnt wanna rush it, you could do it as quick as you want, impress us lol

raptorrex · Jul 15, 2011

KISSfn said:
Can it be done on the same day with fish in if: 1. Gravel is vacuumed thoroughly before removal. 2. Sand has already been cleaned and soaking in a bucket of dechlorinated water. 3. Sand is added very slowly in a wet state with a relatively small container lowered to tank bottom and slowly poured out?

I need to know as I was planning on doing this today!

this is, much, the same as i would do or have done. tank clears quickly. but remember to switch off the filter during, and just after the change.
draining the tank, stresses the fish (probably more than torpid water does). and the sand gets sired up, just as much, if not more. when you replace the water. true its a valid method. but no more.

KISSfn · Jul 15, 2011

Thanks raptorrex and KkAaNnEe. It took a lot longer than I thought to remove 30 pounds of gravel but it's done. Switched to black sand which looks beautiful. Will update pic when water clears more.

KkAaNnEe · Jul 15, 2011

Good job

Will probably look great in the morning

KISSfn · Jul 15, 2011

blue acara · Jul 15, 2011

I recently switched from gravel to sand in my tank and did it fairly easily within an hour or so.

Syphoned out the old gravel with a unused large diameter piece of pipe from my pond pump into a very large bucket. Move aquarium decor to one side of the tank, syphon the gravel, then move the decor over to the newly gravel free side and remove the rest. I found this easier than removing everything and gives the fish cover while you are working on the tank.

Have the sand washed and ready to go before you remove the gravel then when gravel is gone add the sand with a cup or something fairly slowly to avoid freaking out the fish too much.

Replace water lost from syphoning (good itea to have water change water heated and dechlorinated ready to pump back into tank), sort out decor and your done :good:

KISSfn · Jul 15, 2011

KkAaNnEe said:
Good job Will probably look great in the morning

Here it is!

KISSfn · Jul 15, 2011

blue acara said:
I recently switched from gravel to sand in my tank and did it fairly easily within an hour or so.

Syphoned out the old gravel with a unused large diameter piece of pipe from my pond pump into a very large bucket. Move aquarium decor to one side of the tank, syphon the gravel, then move the decor over to the newly gravel free side and remove the rest. I found this easier than removing everything and gives the fish cover while you are working on the tank.

Have the sand washed and ready to go before you remove the gravel then when gravel is gone add the sand with a cup or something fairly slowly to avoid freaking out the fish too much.

Replace water lost from syphoning (good itea to have water change water heated and dechlorinated ready to pump back into tank), sort out decor and your done

Seems like a lot of people in the UK have ponds! I had to gravel vac the whole tank and remove it 1 scoop at a time. Added the washed sand 1 coffee mug at a time. I think I was more stressed than my fish! :crazy: