Sand

[FrAnK3333]

i hear that sand is very good for the tank in that most fish love it and plants like it. My question is if i get sand what should i do(with the fish and my plants) Should i completely tear it down? and how do u clean it? with a standard gravel vac?

 

[FrAnK3333]

i was thinking of buying some tomarow i need answers plz

 

[Griz]

Replacing your substrate is a major undertaking. You would have to temporarily relocate your fish (and a say, half the tank water) in some sort of temporary container) while you replace it. It can certainly be done, but it won't be much fun.

 

[Discomafia]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=60299&hl=

 

[Griz]

Well, I guess we're all in agreement about it being a PITA then, eh?

 

[Synirr]

I changed my 10 gallon to sand a while back... I never want to do it again. The fish were separated into two buckets while I did all the work of emptying the tank, dumping the gravel, etc etc

 

[Morrgan]

I've heard that people have changed the sand without removing fish or needing to worry about the beneficial bacteria in the substrate disappearing. They have simply put in some sort of divider in the middle of the tank, then changed half the gravel to sand. A couple weeks later, when the new sand has some bacteria in it, they have changed the other half.

How this works in practical terms (for example, how to add the sand without it flying around the tank), I don't know.

 

[Coral platy]

I would get fine gravel. I have it and i found out it is better than sand.

James

 

[FrAnK3333]

how do u clean sand?

 

[fufanu360]

with a gravel vac, just dont get to close