Gravel To Sand

[Floyds mum]

I have a heavily planted tank and a stocking of about 15 fish, mixed ages from fry to adult, and im thinking about swapping to sand. Just one question how do i go about swapping?

Do i take all the plants out and put them in a bucket with tank water in, catch all my fish and put them in another tank with tank water in then take all the gravel out and put the sand in the tank with some old tank water in. Fill up with new treated water and put everything back in?

 

[Curiosity101]

Almost everything you've said is spot on.
Only a couple of notes...

Make sure you've thoroughly washed the sand before you start the change over.

Completely empty the tank (or as close as possible) of all the water. If you dump the sand in while there is still water then you're likely to give yourself some really cloudy water.

 

[Floyds mum]

Almost everything you've said is spot on.
Only a couple of notes...

Make sure you've thoroughly washed the sand before you start the change over.

Completely empty the tank (or as close as possible) of all the water. If you dump the sand in while there is still water then you're likely to give yourself some really cloudy water.

So it would be ok putting the fish back in when ive got the plants arranged how i want them?

 

[Curiosity101]

Should be fine yes. So long as you let it get up to temp and such. Waterwise it's only the same as doing a large water change.

Presuming you've washed the sand well there shouldn't be a problem in that sense either.

 

[Floyds mum]

Ok thanx, some people have said not to run filter when you put sand in to let it settle but obv as i have fish and nowhere to keep them temporarily would it be ok, or a good idea to put like pantyhose over the intake?
Will i need the same amount as the gravel i have or more?
I think my dad bought me a 10kg bag of gravel and i think ive got half in.

 

[Curiosity101]

You will need more sand weight wise than gravel as it's denser than gravel.

What dimensions is the tank? And what depth do you want it? 2" is normally about right for sand...

 

[Floyds mum]

Ok thanx, uh not too sure Ive just done a diy backing for it and that was 19" Long and 12" high its squareish, ill pop up and measure it now.

As for depth, i want to make sure there is enought depth for my plants cos its taken me a while to get the display i like

Edit: yep 19" long and 14" deep (at widest, its a bowfront tank)
And 2" seems about right

 

[arobinson1984]

Get 1 bag of argos play sand for £2.99

You will only use between half and 2/3 of the bag for that size tank so you'll have some spare. Make sure its cleaned thoroughly.

Andy

 

[mbsqw1d]

yeh putting your internal filter in some panty hose / tights or similar material is a good idea!!

When you wash the sand thoroughly, the sand will be VERY cold and so maybe add a couple of boiled kettles of water to the water you fill back up with. I used the Argos sand and gave it a good rinse. I didn't have a problem with cloudy water and the sand settled quite quickly! When I changed over I didn't manage to catch all my fish so had to do the change with some of them left in the tank! Had no problems, didn't lose any etc etc.

 

[Water]

Are you going to have a substrate under the sand for the plants?

 

[Floyds mum]

Are you going to have a substrate under the sand for the plants?

Hadnt planned on doing as sand would "sink down"

Thanx people do you know the dimensions of the bag of sand? just so i can guess as to wether it would fit in my rucksack as ive damaged my finger

 

[arobinson1984]

The argos play sand is roughly 21" x 15" bag but may break your rucksack straps lol, it weighs about 15kg

Andy

 

[Floyds mum]

True lol tanx just wondered what sorta size it would be cos the dog food we get is 15 to 17 kg and its huge, obv sand wouldnt be as big cos its finer and heavier lol might have to suck up to my dad

Would just sand be ok? ive seen just sand in alot of tanks

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes its not as big as a big dog food but just as heavy lol.

Sand on its own will be fine, if you have a heavily planted tank then you can put a layer of fertilizing substrate under the sand if you wish but you may have probs with the sand sinking through it. Mine only has sand, about 1 1/2" thick.

Andy

 

[Floyds mum]

Ok thanx thats a load off my mind lol, im looking for plant fertiliser cos im thinking it might be a good idea to use fertiliser once in a while.
Ill just get some argos playsand