Gravel To Sand

[justjon]

So, I'll be buying a bag of sand tomorrow in preparation for the switch from gravel.

Few Questions:

I've recently (3 days ago) Switched to an external from my internal Jewel Filter, I've moved media across to this filter. Will putting sand in be OK so soon?

Next, will removing all the gravel in one swoop be ok, or should it be done in stages over say, a week? (For Bacteria reasons) It's just that I can see it being an utter pain to "hand-pick" gravel out in the later stages.

Many thanks

 

[SimoUK]

I did it all at once, no problems here, heres a good topic I made, it might help you out:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/337690-gravel-to-sand-change-how-i-did-it/page__p__2805609&#entry2805609

 

[jacko32]

personally i wouldnt do it so soon after changing filters i would give it atleast 1 month maybe longer even changing substrate over when a filter is mature will cause a small spike and mini cycle so to do it when the filter is still seeding could be a disaster

 

[PDSimon]

Go for it... should be fine but test the tank just incase and do waterchanges accordingly.

what are you going to do with the fish whilst you do it?

 

[SimoUK]

dont see the switch from internal to external being a problem at all, as he used all the same media, should be fine.

 

[justjon]

I kept all the media but about 1 sponge worth as it just wouldnt fit in, I added it in with the new filter's media so yeah most of it's there, I did a test last night and all results (i think) came up good.

I have a 20L Hospital tank that's currently running heated and with a matured filter from my main tank, i'm thinking put the fish in there and put the sand in with water in the tank? (Turn the filter off perhaps?)

If I do it this way, how long should the sand take to settle?

 

[SimoUK]

Turn the filter off whilst you do the change. The sand doesnt take long to settle at all, Mine had settles and I was able to turn my filter on after 10 Minutes of the switch

 

[justjon]

Great thanks i'm getting it tomorrow so i'll post updates as I go Will the small tank be ok for all the fish for an hour or so?

 

[PaBucsFan]

Yes they should be fine. When I switched my 20 gal to sand I simply keep all 12 fish in one of my 5 gallon buckets with a spare heater.

 

[vicstar078]

Hiya,

Sorry to post on your thread but rather than start a new one about the same thing, I was just wondering ...

I want to do the same thing and put sand in rather than gravel.

I do not have a spare heater so will just put some water from the tank in buckets with the fish in.

Will that be ok if I try and do it really quickly?

Do I need to keep some of the water so that its not like a 100% water change?

I am planning on taking all the water out and then putting sand in.

Thanks

 

[Harlequins]

Good tip - keep washing the sand until the water is totally clear and no dust floating in the water,the better you wash your sand the clearer the water and sand will settle better.

And make sure the filter is off whilst adding the sand and waiting for it to settle.if washed well you should be able to switch the filter back on asap.

 

[vicstar078]

Good tip - keep washing the sand until the water is totally clear and no dust floating in the water,the better you wash your sand the clearer the water and sand will settle better.

And make sure the filter is off whilst adding the sand and waiting for it to settle.if washed well you should be able to switch the filter back on asap.

Hi,

Just wondering why you wouldnt take all the water out and then add the sand in?

I am changing mine tonight and do not want any casualtys.