Just Making Sure

[haich]

hi all just want to make sure im doing the right thing i am going to change from sand back to gravel and was just wondering if my fish (see sig) in the 40 gal would be ok overnight in a 6 gal tank whilst i change over? and what is the maximum water change i can do as to not have to cycle again


any advice appreciated

cheers howard

 

[diademhill]

hi all just want to make sure im doing the right thing i am going to change from sand back to gravel and was just wondering if my fish (see sig) in the 40 gal would be ok overnight in a 6 gal tank whilst i change over? and what is the maximum water change i can do as to not have to cycle again


any advice appreciated

cheers howard

The way to do this is to gradually remove the sand a section at a time, just lower the water a bit so it doesn't slosh.

When all the sand is out, add the washed gravel by jug a section at a time.

The fish don't have to be caught. you can do the job as quick or slow as you like.

You might want to adapt a new plastic dustpan (<£1 ) by making drainage holes in the upstand near the handle to help scrape up the sand.
.......................................
If you catch up the fish, park them in a bucket (I have buckets bigger than 6 gallons!) with the filter overnight and then add all new water you will have losses.

Sue

 

[Qays]

Get the little left over sand particles with a siphon.

 

[haich]

thanks for that but really want to empty the whole tank as i want to do a total redesign and as im going with a planted tank am also ading fist layer latrite with it

so would it be ok to keep say 20% of the water or should i keep more

cheers howard

 

[SamUK]

keeping water doesnt have any great benefits except for making the fish more comfortable when they go bak in as if its all new water then it will be different conditions from what there used to.



the only thing you really need to worry about is keeping the filter wet. the filter is where all the important stuff is and u dont want it to dry out.

 

[haich]

cheers sam yes i was going to keep my filters running wherever i put my fish

 

[diademhill]

cheers sam yes i was going to keep my filters running wherever i put my fish

Rather than use a small tank you can buy translucent plastic storage boxes that hold about 20 gallons. One of these with the filter should be ok for your fish.

 

[haich]

thanks diademnhil never thought of that and it just so happens i have one spare

cheers howard