I Have Now Changed To Sand, But Have A Question?

[debbie888]

HI there

I have now taken all the gravel out of my tank and replaced with sand, which I cleaned before I put in....great job that...lol....ok my question...sand is now in tank and know tank may stay a bit cloudy for a while....I didn't expect it to be crystal clear even though I have spent the last hour and a half rinsing the sand to get rid of all the crap in it...when can I put my fish back in as I am worried they are stressed staying in a big bucket.....would the cloudy water harm them?

Also my stats were spot on before I removed the gravel....will I need more frequent water changes now I have replaced with sand and obviously a lot of new water which I have treated?

I need advice as I am still a novice in the world of tropical fish keeping.

Thanks

Debbie

 

[doresy]

HI there

I have now taken all the gravel out of my tank and replaced with sand, which I cleaned before I put in....great job that...lol....ok my question...sand is now in tank and know tank may stay a bit cloudy for a while....I didn't expect it to be crystal clear even though I have spent the last hour and a half rinsing the sand to get rid of all the crap in it...when can I put my fish back in as I am worried they are stressed staying in a big bucket.....would the cloudy water harm them?

Also my stats were spot on before I removed the gravel....will I need more frequent water changes now I have replaced with sand and obviously a lot of new water which I have treated?

I need advice as I am still a novice in the world of tropical fish keeping.

Thanks

Debbie

Hi, as long as you rinsed the sand first then the cloudiness will clear over the next few days or so. It will not harm the fish but obviously you will have to let the water come up to temperature and acclimatize the fish back into your tank like when you buy new fish.
There is no need to do more frquent water changes now than you were doing before. You may find however that you will see more poo than before as there are no cracks for it to fall through now.

 

[debbie888]

HI there

I have now taken all the gravel out of my tank and replaced with sand, which I cleaned before I put in....great job that...lol....ok my question...sand is now in tank and know tank may stay a bit cloudy for a while....I didn't expect it to be crystal clear even though I have spent the last hour and a half rinsing the sand to get rid of all the crap in it...when can I put my fish back in as I am worried they are stressed staying in a big bucket.....would the cloudy water harm them?

Also my stats were spot on before I removed the gravel....will I need more frequent water changes now I have replaced with sand and obviously a lot of new water which I have treated?

I need advice as I am still a novice in the world of tropical fish keeping.

Thanks

Debbie

Hi, as long as you rinsed the sand first then the cloudiness will clear over the next few days or so. It will not harm the fish but obviously you will have to let the water come up to temperature and acclimatize the fish back into your tank like when you buy new fish.
There is no need to do more frquent water changes now than you were doing before. You may find however that you will see more poo than before as there are no cracks for it to fall through now.

Hi Doresy

Thanks for the reply....no what I meant was will my stats of changed dramatically now? With the change of gravel to sand? The temperature is now back up to what it was, and am about to put the fish back in....tank is clearing, and am sure in a few days it will be clear...lol it better be as it is annoying me with it being cloudy...I am a woman and have no patience...lol.

When would be the best time to test the water?

Debs
x

 

[doresy]

As long as you kept your filter going or at least wet then your bacteria should survive, remember, you cycle the filter not the tank. Very little bacteria is present in the gravel as it needs a constant supply of oxygen and food (ammonia) which is why the bacteria lives in the filter.

When you put the fish back in test your water after 24/48 hours. If your filter goes into a mini cycle (ie ammonia/nitrite is up slightly) then do a 30% water change and keep an eye on it....ie daily testing untill things get back to normal.

 

[clos]

i think you could test the water now if u really wanted too sand shouldnt change your stats the only thing is you might want to add some bacteria supplement to replace what you have lost to the dramatic water change

 

[doresy]

i think you could test the water now if u really wanted too sand shouldnt change your stats the only thing is you might want to add some bacteria supplement to replace what you have lost to the dramatic water change

You do not lose bacteria in a massive water change Otherwise everyone who does a fishless cycle would lose their bacteria when they do a complete water change to remove all the nitrate that has built up

Also, you would just be testing new water that has not had any fish in it yet

Sorry, but just had to point that out ok

 

[clos]

i think you could test the water now if u really wanted too sand shouldnt change your stats the only thing is you might want to add some bacteria supplement to replace what you have lost to the dramatic water change

You do not lose bacteria in a massive water change Otherwise everyone who does a fishless cycle would lose their bacteria when they do a complete water change to remove all the nitrate that has built up

Sorry, but just had to point that out ok

oooo ... just what i was told at my local fish store