Should I Change Substrate?

[Julianmiles123]

I just recently set up my 45 gallon bow put gravel cycled it, it's been cycled about a week but I put rocks made my caves an bought one convict so far. when I put the two tone coloured gravel in I loved it but the colour gravel I have don't really go great with the fish coloration an I would like to put something more natural like sand so i just want too no is it a good Idea too do an what would b the bet way to go about it

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

I put my fish in his old bowl (betta) and did a 100 percent change, took the gravel out and put the sand in.
 
But, I would put your fish in a bucket with an airstone,  rinse the sand for about 30-45 mins (will still be foggy), and do a 100% change 

 

[frapadoodle]

Best way, empty the tank, scoop out gravel, put sand in rescape refill, restock.
Make sure that if you decide on sand you rinse, rinse, rinse. Sand has a lot of silt. Clouds the water and is murder on filters.
Most of your beneficial bacteria lives in the filter, so no worries about that.
If you are not wanting any bottom dwellers that prefer a sandy substrate, pea gravel looks natural.