Substrate Change - Advice

[NeWcS]

Id like to change the substrate in my 45gal. I currently have 'fish tank' gravel and would like to go to a sand. First of all what is the best, cheapest, sand I can use? I will not have live plants so I'm thinking like a playground sand?

Next, What is the best way to keep my fish safe while doing this? I do not have an extra tank to keep them in while I do this.

Lastly, Are there fish that should NOT have a sand bottom?

I have: Clown loaches, Cories, Platties, hatchets, danios. Will all these guys do ok with sand?

thx, -Jay

 

[Kelsyann]

Personally I love sand, and I switched my tanks over to it a few months ago. Cheap playground sand is what I used, mine came from Toys R Us and was like $5 for 50 pounds. Here's what Ive found to be the easiest:
-Go out and find yourself a cheap plastic container large enough to house all your fish
-Wash your sand BEFORE you start anything, to minimize stress on the fish
-Fill the container with about 75% of the water
-Put all the fish, and decorations in the box.
-Next, put your filter and heater in the box and switch them on.
-Use a gravel vacuum and get as much gunk out as you can.
-Give the tank a quick rinse and scrubbing, but no soap!
-Put your sand in the bottom of the tank
-Use about 50% of the water in your container and put it back in the tank.
-Arrange decorations, and put filter and heater back in the tank.
-Put the fish back in and top off with fresh water
Done!

 

[jmain]

Personally I love sand, and I switched my tanks over to it a few months ago. Cheap playground sand is what I used, mine came from Toys R Us and was like $5 for 50 pounds. Here's what Ive found to be the easiest:
-Go out and find yourself a cheap plastic container large enough to house all your fish
-Wash your sand BEFORE you start anything, to minimize stress on the fish
-Fill the container with about 75% of the water
-Put all the fish, and decorations in the box.
-Next, put your filter and heater in the box and switch them on.
-Use a gravel vacuum and get as much gunk out as you can.
-Give the tank a quick rinse and scrubbing, but no soap!
-Put your sand in the bottom of the tank
-Use about 50% of the water in your container and put it back in the tank.
-Arrange decorations, and put filter and heater back in the tank.
-Put the fish back in and top off with fresh water
Done!

Can I ask why you love sand so much more?

 

[Ian H]

just to add clownloaches should be in a MUCH bigger tank than 45 gal. The corys will thank you for sand though

 

[NeWcS]

Thanks for all the info! How much sand should I get?

-Jay

 

[iluvguppies]

if you had a huge tank could you have areas of different substrate?

Nikki

 

[NeWcS]

Ok so I changed over this morning. I took the play ground sand and filled half a bucket with it and ran water throught it to get the dust and any other stuff out of it. Guess I didn't do such a good job cause my tank is super cloudy.

I was expecting it to get cloudy but wanted to know how long I should expect it to take before it clears?

I did have some lose. A couple of my Danios died. Not sure if its from the cloudy water or the shock from the back and forth of tanks during the re-do. This scares me as I kow Danios are very hearty fish.

-Jay

 

[waterdrop]

substrate stuff... I'd suggest just making yourself wait until the next morning before hoping to see things be clear...

 

[NeWcS]

lol. Ok, Guess I was expecting a miracle. heheheheheheehe. thx

-Jay