Gravel To Sand In A 260L Tank

[shrew]

hi i am going to change to sand tomorrow and wanted to leave the fish in a have washed the sand today ready and eanted to know if anyone had tips on how to do it without stripping the tank down. i was going to net out the gravel and the just put the sand in do you think this would be ok? thanks in advance

 

[Truck]

use a tube and pour the sand into the tube and aim it, so the sand falls where you want it to.

 

[shrew]

thanks truckasauras thats a bloody good idea.

 

[VaegaVic]

Just like to interject and remind you that alot of bacteria lives on the gravel, as well as the filter.
Keep some gravel, put it in an old stocking/ pair of tights, and dangle infront of the filter to help reduce the mini-cycle.

 

[Truck]

about 1% of bacteria lives in the substrate if you're not using a UG filter, I can't see it making much of a difference to be honest.

 

[VaegaVic]

about 1% of bacteria lives in the substrate if you're not using a UG filter, I can't see it making much of a difference to be honest.

I so somewhat doubt that, I changed from gravel to sand a few weeks ago and underwent a major cycle, all media transferred across, only thing I could think of would be the gravel that caused it.

However, this could just be an isolated incidence, but still worth baring in mind.

 

[Truck]

Are you sure it wasn't debris and detritus being kicked up causing ammonia?

 

[VaegaVic]

Are you sure it wasn't debris and detritus being kicked up causing ammonia?

Nope incredibly sure, used 3 internal filters to collect all the rubbish and then siphoned out anything that was left.
Before I added the sand, the water and the bottom of the tank were crystal clear.

 

[drobbyb]

I'd have to agree with Truck, but it never hurts to be safe. It only takes a second to bag up some gravel and toss it over the side.