Steps To Take From Gravel To Sand!

[Fish are friends]

Hi folks.
I am thinking about doing the transition between gravel and sand this weekend and i want to know what the easiest way of doing this is.. I have a fair idea on how i am going to do it but there are a few little things that i need to be 100% sure on... removing the gravel and replacing the sand is the part i know but do i uproot all my plants and then just re-plant them? will there be enough nutrients in the sand to support the plants? if anyone has any experience making this transition id like to hear how you did it and how it went... many thanks Iain

 

[Gytas]

i am not sure but i think you should go to fish tank tv forum they are crazy about plants they will help you and tell you how to keep plants happy my username is TheGts69 there and there is live chat people will be able to help you there so go an make an account...
and they will tell you what to do to the tankt to make sure that the plants grow crazy

 

[eaglesaquarium]

There are several threads about this in the tropical section. Everyone that did it that I saw was very happy with the results! From what I understand, there is no concern about nutrients in the sand. Aquatic plants can take nutrients directly from the water column, and most ferts are designed to be added to the tank that way, so it seems logical.

 

[KittyKat]

Pulled up all plants, took out all gravel with a net, then filled with sand.

If you do not add anything for the plants now, they should not suffer from sand.

 

[Randi]

I made the change. I found it was easier to replant if I trimmed the plants roots.

 

[Fish are friends]

Right today is the day i am doing my switch over, Is it safe enough to leave the fish in just try to not disturb them too much or should i remove them to another tank? the latter would be harder but if i needed to i could do something. only thing is it would be a small 5 gal tank and 15 fish in that tank would be cramped!

 

[Rynofasho]

I'd move the fish. Far more stressful to work around the fish than to just move them once. I did this before and answered some questions in the post here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/351781-upgrading-from-gravel-to-sand/page__view__findpost__p__2931162

Have a look and let me know if you have more questions. . .