Replacing Gravel With Sand

[Spitzy]

My new Fluval 305 is on order and should arrive in the next week

I was going to swap the gravel for play sand at the same time as putting the new filter in but have decided to do it before in case the new filter gets damaged by sand suspended n the water.

For those people who have already done the swap from gravel to sand is it worth me leaving a very thin layer of gravel under the sand at the back of the tank? I am thinking of beneficial bacteria levels. Or will the sand wipe them out anyway once it covers the gravel? Argos have 1 bag of play sand left in stock
Thanks in advance

 

[KittyKat]

Gravel holds almost no filter bacteria, the filter holds the vast amount of them. You should not fear swapping all gravel for all sand in one go.

Also the sand dust will not damage the new filter, but you will probably need to clean the filter a few times after adding the sand unless you wash it exceptionally well as they fine sponges will collect the dust.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with KK.

WD

 

[Spitzy]

Thanks for the tips.

I've just popped onto my local argos site and someone has gone and bought the very last bag of play sand It's been sitting there for two weeks every time I have checked but today there it is gone!

I have checked out B & Q and they have some play sand in stock, they seem to do two types and the "natural" one seems to get the best reviews, at least the best when used as play sand rather than aquarium substrate

 

[Warehouse]

Thanks for the tips.

I've just popped onto my local argos site and someone has gone and bought the very last bag of play sand It's been sitting there for two weeks every time I have checked but today there it is gone!

If it was the Yewsley branch, (near Hayes), then it was me. I just went and purchased 2 bags this morning .

 

[Spitzy]

Nope it was the Wisbech branch Who the heck buys play sand this time of the year

The B & Q one is in a 25kg bag so I will have to be creative to find uses for whats left over, play pit for the chickens perhaps

 

[Spitzy]

We have sand!!!! Though by the colour of it we will be going for the muddy river bottom look

Anyway have spent the last hour washing the stuff but have had to take a break due to not being able to feel my hands any more due to the cold.I now have an interesting water feature going in the bathroom with the tap running into half a bucket of sand which is wedged up at an angle flowing into a bowl half filled with sand which is flowing into a mixing bowl half full of sand and I think we are making progress, I can see the sand through the water YAY!!!

 

[Spitzy]

It is done!! I am soaking,I am freezing floor is soaking, bathroom is covered in sand, plug hole is full of sand. Even after all the washing I did the fish are just starting to emerge from the murk in the tank. All seem to be ok and already the corys are zipping through the sand like four mini bulldozers

The amount of crud that was in the gravel was unreal which is probably what half the murk is in the water. The old biolife is chugging away in there but will take forever to clear the water but the new fluval will be here soon so i can retire it after years of service.

 

[markp2067]

I did this the other day and can testify to the amount of muck that gets disturbed. Oddly enough my tank looks brighter now as well.

 

[guppi]

Good job only trouble is that you can see the poop now, and if your like me you will be cleaning it up every day

 

[Doc7]

guppi : true that is a pain to me as well - but the plus side is, you can really tell that you're cleaning up most of it when with gravel, who knows how much gunk you're leaving in the substrate rotting away! it doesn't sink into sand really so probably better off for the fish that you can see it. and definitely for the cories, that's why i have sand in my tank

 

[Spitzy]

My Cories are just loving the sand, they have been out and about non stop this evening sifting through the sand whereas with the gravel they would only appear for a few minutes at a time before vanishing behind the plants again.

There is still a slight "fog" in the water but it should be be much clearer in the morning

 

[sXeLifer]

Ive swapped sand for gravel twice now with fish in the tank at the time, providing you clean it thoroughly you should be fine, gravel holds no beneficial bacteria like others have said and nor does sand although people have a tendency to think the opposite don't be afraid to put in sand in my opinion it is a MUCH better look and for the majority of fish it suits them better. Especially corydoras.