Help my sand poisoned my fish

[FishGuest5123]

Well, I HATE SAND! That being said (again), I am in the process of setting up my 55G with Quckcrete play sand. I had to wash it and wash it in buckets and then still had to fill the tank half way up 3 times and drain it to get water clear. All is good now but no fish in there yet. I would get rid of that sand and start over with the Quickcrete. I think the biggest problem was as @Byron said. Never leave fish in a tank when changing substrate. All will work out slowly. Slow and easy wins the race. I know you feel so bad physically. Wish we could come and help you.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Would the sand be the problem or the anaerobic areas?

I don’t think anaerobic areas could build that fast but @Byron???

 

[JuiceBox52]

Well, I HATE SAND! That being said (again), I am in the process of setting up my 55G with Quckcrete play sand. I had to wash it and wash it in buckets and then still had to fill the tank half way up 3 times and drain it to get water clear. All is good now but no fish in there yet. I would get rid of that sand and start over with the Quickcrete. I think the biggest problem was as @Byron said. Never leave fish in a tank when changing substrate. All will work out slowly. Slow and easy wins the race. I know you feel so bad physically. Wish we could come and help you.

Yeah. I have them out now I was advised in another thread to leave them in while changing but it's all good now. I managed to get a little bit of water to test and ammonia was in between 0 and 0.25 and the nitrite was the same. I think it is as byron said

 

[Retired Viking]

I don’t think anaerobic areas could build that fast but @Byron???

I agree it takes time for it to build up

 

[JuiceBox52]

I don’t think anaerobic areas could build that fast but @Byron???

I thought he was meaning the anaerobic pockets in my gravel? My gravel has been there for over 3 years so it could in that amount of time

 

[Retired Viking]

I thought he was meaning the anaerobic pockets in my gravel? My gravel has been there for over 3 years so it could in that amount of time

I was thinking the sand-yes 3 years is plenty of time.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I don’t get you people. You like bright un-real gravel that looks like it jumped right off the TV out of a Lucky Charms commercial.

Why don’t you like sand? I think it’s easier to clean and much cheaper than gravel.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I don’t get you people. You like bright un-real gravel that looks like it jumped right off the TV out of a Lucky Charms commercial.

Why don’t you like sand? I think it’s easier to clean and much cheaper than gravel.

The bright gravel can be cool depending on the theme you're going for or if you are trying to match furniture in the room

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I guess so...

I just think a fish would prefer to see something a little more close to home.

I also think it looks better. But that’s just me and my weird opinions.

 

[utahfish]

Well, I HATE SAND! That being said (again), I am in the process of setting up my 55G with Quckcrete play sand. I had to wash it and wash it in buckets and then still had to fill the tank half way up 3 times and drain it to get water clear. All is good now but no fish in there yet. I would get rid of that sand and start over with the Quickcrete. I think the biggest problem was as @Byron said. Never leave fish in a tank when changing substrate. All will work out slowly. Slow and easy wins the race. I know you feel so bad physically. Wish we could come and help you.

Ive used play sand hate rinsing it 100 times. Im currently using black diamond blasting sand. Rinsed it once dropped it in, minimal clouding, clear in the morning. It also doesnt kick up dust when disturbed like play sand.
Having said that id never change substrate with fish in. Too much junk in substrate that gets into water column so i agree with byron and those who have surmised the problem was due to anaerobic stuff released that was trapped in old substrate.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I was thinking the sand-yes 3 years is plenty of time.

I was thinking the sand-yes 3 years is plenty of time.

Gravel doesn’t normally get anaerobic pockets.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Gravel doesn’t normally get anaerobic pockets.

Hmmmm. Does that mean I should chuck the sand?

 

[FishGuest5123]

I don’t get you people. You like bright un-real gravel that looks like it jumped right off the TV out of a Lucky Charms commercial.

Why don’t you like sand? I think it’s easier to clean and much cheaper than gravel.

Well, that was rude! I had a bad experience with sand. All I’m saying. @PheonixKingZ, I’ll put any one of my tanks up against any of yours as far as eye appeal any day.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Hmmmm. Does that mean I should chuck the sand?

No, I’m using it right now too for my cories. I started a whole hornets nest once for not liking sand so now I say, “To each his own.” Everyone lives by experiences. You should be fine. I would suggest getting some Malaysian Trumpet snails or even some cories to help stir the sand and help prevent pockets.

 

[JuiceBox52]

No, I’m using it right now too for my cories. I started a whole hornets nest once for not liking sand so now I say, “To each his own.” Everyone lives by experiences. You should be fine. I would suggest getting some Malaysian Trumpet snails or even some cories to help stir the sand and help prevent pockets.

I am planning on cories, and maybe kuhlis..I was meant should I toss it since it might have been the sand causing the problem and not me stirring up the gravel?