Stock And Substrate Change!

[DD2510]

we are going to change the substrate to sand as ive read on here that the corries prefer this, is it ok to remove the gravel in one go and replace with sand? will the fish be ok in the tank whilst i do this as i dont have a spare to move them into?

Cheers

 

[Ben M]

hi, yes sand is much preferred by the corys. i changed from gravel to sand without removing the fish. i just scooped out all of the gravel, then washed the sand and put it in. just make sure that you turn off your filter until the sand settles.

cheers

 

[DD2510]

thanks for the quick reply... how much water did you take out before removing the gravel

 

[Ben M]

hi, i took all of the gravel out with the tank full, then left everything to settle for a while, then with a syphon sucked all of the dirt. i took about 1/4 of the tanks water out, (not including the water level drop from removing the gravel).

cheers

 

[DD2510]

ok cheers...

 

[DD2510]

would this sand be ok to use?

http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=kiln+sand&x=18&y=13

 

[justjon]

Hiya DD,

I've heard very good reports of using Argos Playsand in tanks,

http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650574/c_1/1|category_root|Toys+and+games|14417629.htm

Just make sure you wash it throughly before putting into the tank

 

[razer121]

ive used the argos play sand, great stuff and easy to wash, nice quick and simple my corys cannot get enough of it!

 

[DD2510]

how many bags do you think i will need for the rio 180? looking to have about 1.5 inch of cover

 

[Inchworm]

Hi DD2510

Don't use anything other than play sand made for children's sand boxes. Sand processed for other uses might have sharp edges. Your store offers these two products.

http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9273660&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=play+sand&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1271183269836&isSearch=true

http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9411956&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=play+sand&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1271183426615&isSearch=true

 

[DD2510]

ok thanks for that... saved making my 1st mistake

 

[pauld]

wickes do a very fine sand for block paviours had it in my tank for 4 months with out any problem and its well cheap .

 

[Ben M]

hi i used the B&Q kiln dried sand that is in your link. it is fine with all of my fish, including corys and kuhlis.

cheers

 

[karin]

Just a note. After changing from gravel to sand, I had an ammonia spike and lost a new little angelfish. Watch your stats for a while afterwards.

 

[Jonno]

i just put the fish in a bucket, filters in a bucket of tank water, emptied half way for ease, and then took gravel out with a plastic kitchen colander. and poured sand streight in. it was coral sand though so you may need to rinse play sand.

that way you can be as rough as you like putting the sand in and not flatten any fish