From Gravel To... Sand

[JL94x4]

So i have blue/black/white mixed gravel with some colourful fake plants and a few ornaments, im wanting to replace the gravel totally with some sand i bought! Whats the best way to get the gravel out and sand back in as ive never done this before....

I know how to get the sand in cloud free though, using a bottle! So thats not a problem, my own issue is getting the gravel out as im not kean on having to take the fish out of the tank whilst im doing this... this is whats currently in the tank;

6 Guppy Fry
2 Corys
2 Neon Tetras
1 Cloud Minnow
1 Female Betta

The tank is also a 60 Gallon. Thanks in advanced for anyone who can help!

 

[fluttermoth]

Personally, I'd take the fish out, but you can try syphoning the gravel out, or scrape it out with an old ice cream container or something like that.

Do make sure you really, really wash the sand, even if you're going to use the bottle method. If the sand is properly washed, it won't cloud your tank, except perhaps very slightly. You must be ruthless about throwing away any particles of sand that don't sink within a few seconds when you're doing the washing, even if you lose a bit of the 'good' sand as well

 

[Ruskull]

I'm afraid it's best to remove the fish before switching substrate. The problem is scooping out the old gravel with kick up so much junk that it'll cloud your water & spook your fish. I'm not a big fan of bright fake colored gravel so you are doing the right thing. Just be glad you don't have that many fish to worry about.

I guess it's possible to try scooping some out since the tank is so large but you'll see whether the gravel kicks up a lot of junk or not. If it doesn't, go with it. The fish will probably all go to one end while you scoop out the other end. I'd take thewater level down to about half or less to make it easier. Just scoop it into a trashcan. I've been slowly removing all my black gravel from my black gravel/black sand mix. I do a little bit more gravel with each water change, it's taking forever this way though.

 

[JL94x4]

I'm afraid it's best to remove the fish before switching substrate. The problem is scooping out the old gravel with kick up so much junk that it'll cloud your water & spook your fish. I'm not a big fan of bright fake colored gravel so you are doing the right thing. Just be glad you don't have that many fish to worry about.

I guess it's possible to try scooping some out since the tank is so large but you'll see whether the gravel kicks up a lot of junk or not. If it doesn't, go with it. The fish will probably all go to one end while you scoop out the other end. I'd take thewater level down to about half or less to make it easier. Just scoop it into a trashcan. I've been slowly removing all my black gravel from my black gravel/black sand mix. I do a little bit more gravel with each water change, it's taking forever this way though.

Yes, im doing it now before getting any more fish as the low amount of fish will help massively! & yes the gravel will kick some muck up as when i was planting the fake plants, the amount of waste coming up was quite alot, i think what i'll end up doing is getting the gravel out and siphoning any BIG amounts of waste and then leave the tank a while to settle down so the rest of the junk can go to the bottom of the tank, before putting the sand on top. This will probably be my best option so far, im just wondering how im going to get the gravel out as its way too heavy to siphon out.

Ive also decided its in the best interest of the fish that they come out, don't want to scoop any fry in with the gravel!

Personally, I'd take the fish out, but you can try syphoning the gravel out, or scrape it out with an old ice cream container or something like that.

Do make sure you really, really wash the sand, even if you're going to use the bottle method. If the sand is properly washed, it won't cloud your tank, except perhaps very slightly. You must be ruthless about throwing away any particles of sand that don't sink within a few seconds when you're doing the washing, even if you lose a bit of the 'good' sand as well

The gravel is previously been used and its been washed thoroughly, but when i took it out i had to dry the sand, in the oven. Not the best thing to do but it had to be done!