Gravel To Sand

[trevo878]

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about making the change from gravel to sand in my 20 gallon tank. Here's what i was planning on doing...
1. Scoop out all of the gravel
2. Wash sand
3. Put sand in tank
4. Add new plants and decorations to tank

Also, would this be possible to do with 2 bolivian rams in the tank and what color of sand do you suggest I put in the tank?

Thanks!
Trevo

 

[nino]

there are lots of posts about this, in fact i had a similar one myself recently.

here is a link to help you out, i think it covers everything.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

 

[trevo878]

Great, thanks for the info.

Has anyone here ever made the transistion from gravel to sand with fish in the tank? And what fish should I add to the newly decorated tank with the bolivian rams ?

Thanks again!
Trevo

 

[Dubby]

Great, thanks for the info.

Has anyone here ever made the transistion from gravel to sand with fish in the tank? And what fish should I add to the newly decorated tank with the bolivian rams ?

Thanks again!
Trevo

I changed from gravel to sand while the fish were still there. I would recommend that you change (say) 1/4 of the tank at one go to allow bacteria to colonise. I used pieces of slate to separate the sand from the gravel. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[rdd1952]

I changed from gravel to sand while the fish were still there. I would recommend that you change (say) 1/4 of the tank at one go to allow bacteria to colonise. I used pieces of slate to separate the sand from the gravel. Let me know if you need more info.

From my change of sand last (see details here) I would say that the bacteria in the substrate isn't an issue unless the tank has an undergravel filter in which case you couldn't change to sand. Since there is actually no water flow through the substrate to feed the bacteria, I think the amount of bacteria present there is very minimal.

 

[trevo878]

Thanks for your help guys!

I just need suggestions on which fish to add witht the bolivians...

Trevo