Gravel To Sand ?

[big_anth]

As title states, ever since iv been on this forum and looked around the net i really like the look of a sand tank rather than gravel.

I have read alot about doing it and ways of doing it.

Is it recommended to complete the cycle or just jump right in there and do it? if so, could some one give me a set of instructions, i have a few guppies, mollies and zebras in the tank already and since yesterday started a 50% water change twice a-day. the tank has been setup for about week now.

I heard the argos play sand is an option (and very cheap which is good haha)

any thoughts? or am i being A, over confident and B, very stupid ?

cheers

 

[nmonks]

I've written about sand for aquaria a few times, including an article here at TFF that might be of use. I wouldn't necessarily go for the cheapest option, but rather the safest. A 25 kg bag of smooth silica sand from your garden centre will cost you under £5, and should be completely safe, if a bit silty.

Cheers, Neale

 

[big_anth]

I've written about sand for aquaria a few times, including an article here at TFF that might be of use. I wouldn't necessarily go for the cheapest option, but rather the safest. A 25 kg bag of smooth silica sand from your garden centre will cost you under £5, and should be completely safe, if a bit silty.

Cheers, Neale

thanks for the reply, that guide is good.

I'm in two minds, not sure what to do, I don't want the tank going cloudy, knowing my luck and inexperience it will stay like that! Would you recommend doing it in the middle of a cycle?

 

[nmonks]

Changing the substrate should have no effect on water quality unless you have an undergravel filter.

The silt in sand washes away within a few days, assuming a couple of water changes and decent mechanical filtration. Still, it's a good idea to rinse the sand as best you can before use.

Cheers, Neale

 

[big_anth]

Changing the substrate should have no effect on water quality unless you have an undergravel filter.

The silt in sand washes away within a few days, assuming a couple of water changes and decent mechanical filtration. Still, it's a good idea to rinse the sand as best you can before use.

Cheers, Neale

thanks again, i'm not sure which way to go about it, I'm thinking about keeping the fish in a bucket while I empty the gravel and put sand in, is this the best way?

I know the sand will need a good rinse out before hand.

 

[nmonks]

Yes, you can keep the fish in a bucket. I use 5 gallon rather than 3 gallon buckets for this. You can buy these at DIY shops inexpensively, and they even come with lids to keep the fish from jumping out! You won't need a heater, but if you can, stick an airstone in there. It's a good idea to leave the filter running if at all possible, either in the bucket with the fish, or else in another bucket with some aquarium water. At the very least, remove the biological media, put in a bucket or trough, and just about cover with water. This will keep oxygen getting to the media, keeping the bacteria happy. This isn't such a big deal with things like sponge filters, but canister filters quickly lose the oxygen they need because they are closed off from the air or water, and rely on a water flow for oxygen.

Cheers, Neale

 

[big_anth]

well i done it, took a couple of hours but its done

i forgot to take a before picture but i have a pic from when i first set it up - pictures will be uploaded soon, its a little murkey and camera is from the iphone !

Cheers for all your help, now just to cycle the thing

 

[big_anth]

Tank Before Sand....

And Again..

Tank With Sand...

And Again...

still a little cloudy though

 

[nmonks]

Just watch those Corydoras... you'll soon see your school of happy catfish gills-deep in the sand, spewing the stuff out of their gill openings, their little faces pushed inside the sand snuffling about for food. It's really very, very lovely -- and soon you'll be wondering why ANYONE would keep catfish without sand.

One down side to sand is the brightness, and you may notice midwater fish "toning down" their colours. Either add blackwater extract to tint the water, or else add some floating plants to create shade.

Cheers, Neale

 

[sotik]

The tank looks a little bare but then again that might be the way you want it. The sand does look like a great improvement though... Maybe I should do that with the next tank I get

 

[big_anth]

The tank looks a little bare but then again that might be the way you want it. The sand does look like a great improvement though... Maybe I should do that with the next tank I get

yeah it is bare, bit that's because iv only had it a week! I'm looking around for ideas, not sure what to do with it.

 

[craig855s]

bit o bogwood to help busy it up. Gravel has its benefits too as sand looks filthy very quickly but it is great for corys