Problem With Changing From Gravel To Sand

[Miller2009]

When I asked someone at my lfs about changing from gravel to sand they said the best thing to do is keep about 50% of the old tank water. The problem is that's going to equal about 6 buckets and I've only got 6 but I need 2 to clean the sand 1 to empty the tank with that leaving me with around 40lites of the tank water. Will that be enough or will I need more buckets?

Thanks Paul

 

[Fluval-1200]

Can you not just leave the tank half full and remove the gravel, clean the sand and then pour that into the tank?

 

[Miller2009]

But doing that will leave lots of dirt in the bottom which I want rid of

 

[Fluval-1200]

it will settle on top of the sand and you could just hoover it off

 

[fluttermoth]

I would always strip the tank right down when changing from gravel to sand; it's unbelievable the amount of crud you'll find in it, even if you're good at gravel cleaning.

Saving old water isn't that important. Just make sure the new water is warmed and dechlorinated and it'll just be like a bigger than usual water change

Do feed sparingly and test often for the next week or so, in case of mini cycles.

 

[Miller2009]

Another thing I've got a long airstone at the back of my tank do I just weigh it down with pebbles or do I put it under the sand as I have with gravel?

 

[fluttermoth]

Just weigh it down; it'll keep the sand in suspension if you bury it (it might do that anyway, tbh).

 

[Miller2009]

Pebbles it is then thanks. Now to start the many rinses of the sand and the change tomorrow all things going well.

 

[KirkyArcher]

The problem is that's going to equal about 6 buckets and I've only got 6 but I need 2 to clean the sand 1 to empty the tank with that leaving me with around 40lites of the tank water. Will that be enough or will I need more buckets?

Thanks Paul

 
Why not clean the sand thoroughly 1st and get that out of the way, and put it all into one of your buckets or even put it back into a bin bag, you then have at least 5 empty buckets, your" emptying bucket" will also be full of water when you take your last water from the tank so you still will have 5  buckets full of tank water available.
50% of your water volume once sand is installed will probably be less than you think anyway

 

[Miller2009]

You may well have hit the nail on the head with that suggestion cheers.

 

[Miller2009]

Well I changed from gravel to sand today. Only took 2 hours which I was well pleased about and to top it off it looks 10 times better and the corries love it. Lfs on Saturday to pick up more Julii Cory then that's about complete for a little bit.