Gravel To Sand

[Nauplii]

Hi, i have a 7gal hexagon tank with black gravel, and im going to be moving the tank soon into a new flat.

I want to change the gravel to sand, but im unsure of the transition.
I realise it would be similar to changing the gravel, but what worries me is that i have seen pictures of tanks with newly added sand, and the tank is really murky.

Would changing the substrate to sand possibly affect the health of my fish, or possibly kill them?
Also how long would the sand take to settle?

I have a fluval one filter running with an air pump and heater.
I have the following fish:
1 pencilfish
1 cardinal tetra
1 rummynose tetra
2 silver tip tetras
1 khuli loach
3 ramshorn snails
1 apple snail

Thanks
Vixen

 

[nmonks]

Have a read of the Sand as Substrate topic, here. But briefly...

Should answer your questions in depth. But, in a 7 gallon tank, a layer of sand 1 cm thick will settle within a day. Sand cannot be used with an undergravel filter, and if more than 2-3 cm depth is used, there's a risk of anaerobic pockets. Undertank heating, plants, snails, and various fish can fix this, but you do need to be careful. If you go the safest option and use only 1 cm depth, then you can't use plants with roots, but epiphytes (like Java fern, moss, and Anubias) and floating plants (hornwort, Salvinia, etc.) are fine. The sand itself will never harm your fish, and in fact many like to burrow into it.

Cheers,

Neale