Operation Save Cory

[hillmar77]

So after getting my second Cory yesterday, I've decided to switch over to sand instead of pebbles! Just to make sure the pebbles isn't hurting the little guys! The tank has been up and running for about a month and a half and had perfect readings for a little over 2 weeks now! I've decided to go with pool sand and will purchase it today. Here are the steps I'm going to take and wanted your advice if I'm missing anything or doing anything wrong!
1) in a clean bucket rinse and wash sand till no more cloud exsist in water
2) turn off power to both hob filters and heater
3) empty 60 percent of water into clean 5 gallon bucket
4) throw all ornaments and fake plants into 5 gallon bucket
5) transfer all fishes into 5 gallon bucket
6) using a cup scoop up all the gravel(blue little pebbles) into a dirty bucket and empty remaing water
7) then add fake plants with suction cups to the tank
8) add sand and then the remaining decor and a small bowl
9) start vacuum in 5 gallon bucket and start the transfer of water into the small bowl in the tank
( bowl is so the sand doesn't get stirred up)
10) at 30 percent water start transfer of fishes back into tank
11) top off water at end with prime
12) dispose of pebbles and DONE?

 

[jameshunter63]

you may want to put the old gravel in a clean stocking and rest on the gravel for a couple of weeks so the old nitrifying bacteria in the gravel can move across into the new sand substrate.

 

[hillmar77]

You mean some of it ?..... Because there is alot of pebbles and it would take up alot of room in the tank.

 

[mattlee]

wouldnt bother with the gravel in a sock just chuck it and keep an eye on the water for a week

 

[awilson360]

So after getting my second Cory yesterday, I've decided to switch over to sand instead of pebbles! Just to make sure the pebbles isn't hurting the little guys! The tank has been up and running for about a month and a half and had perfect readings for a little over 2 weeks now! I've decided to go with pool sand and will purchase it today. Here are the steps I'm going to take and wanted your advice if I'm missing anything or doing anything wrong!
1) in a clean bucket rinse and wash sand till no more cloud exsist in water
2) turn off power to both hob filters and heater
3) empty 60 percent of water into clean 5 gallon bucket
4) throw all ornaments and fake plants into 5 gallon bucket
5) transfer all fishes into 5 gallon bucket
6) using a cup scoop up all the gravel(blue little pebbles) into a dirty bucket and empty remaing water
7) then add fake plants with suction cups to the tank
8) add sand and then the remaining decor and a small bowl
9) start vacuum in 5 gallon bucket and start the transfer of water into the small bowl in the tank
( bowl is so the sand doesn't get stirred up)
10) at 30 percent water start transfer of fishes back into tank
11) top off water at end with prime
12) dispose of pebbles and DONE?

I've had to do this exact same process as you. One piece of advice is to get a pre-filter sponge for your HOB filter.

If yours is like mine it has slots in the inlet so small debris can get sucked up and through the impeller, this needs to be modified with some stocking or a pre-filter sponge to prevent sand from damaging the impeller bearing.

I bought a Fluval Edge Pre-filter sponge for my HOB filter and it just slots straight over the end preventing small fish and debris getting sucked into the filter.

Good luck.
AW

 

[OldMan47]

Your complete transfer process looks well thought out to me Hillmar77.