Swapping Gravel To Sand, How?

[Ronnie27]

Hi i an going to be swapping from gravel to sand and i have a tank of fish and was wondering if anybody could help me with doing it as i am concerened about draining all the water out of the tank then refiling it?? any help would be great cheers

 

[amyw2008]

I did this about 2 weeks ago....

The best way I found was leaving all water and fish in the tank, removing all ornaments/plants and then using a large net (about £3 from LFS) to scoop up the gravel into a bucket...

When you have removed all gravel, vac the bottom of the tank to remove any stray gravel chips/fish poop ...

Wash the sand, wash it again, and agin, and again until the water runs clear and there isnt any froth on the top of the water then get a jug or tub, fill mostly with the clean sand, slowly lower the tub/jug into the tank so the water doesnt move it about too much, lower the tub to the bottom and pour out slowly....

Takes a while but is worth it in the end...

GOOD LUCK

 

[drain_bamaged]

Easiest way: Step One: put the fish into a bucket with tank water, media etc...

Step two: take the gravel out.

Step Three: Clean your sand and do an (optional) water change

step four: take a two litre soft drink bottle and cut the bottom off, making sure to leave the lid on.

Step five: put the sand into the bottle till its 1.2 full

Step six: place the bottle into the tank and undo the lid as close to the bottom of the tank as possible. Slowly let the sand siphon out. Repeat till substrate is at the level you need it to be.

This method will reduce the amount of sand cloudiness in the water. Once you have completed step six, you may still need to do up to three or four water changes to reduce the cloudiness and may still need to let the water settle over night it will be ok for you to put your fish back (obviously once you have heated the water up!) once you have the temp up.

Just be aware that you need to be very gentle with the sand, or you will increase the cloudiness!

 

[amyw2008]

Easiest way: Step One: put the fish into a bucket with tank water, media etc...

Step two: take the gravel out.

Step Three: Clean your sand and do an (optional) water change

step four: take a two litre soft drink bottle and cut the bottom off, making sure to leave the lid on.

Step five: put the sand into the bottle till its 1.2 full

Step six: place the bottle into the tank and undo the lid as close to the bottom of the tank as possible. Slowly let the sand siphon out. Repeat till substrate is at the level you need it to be.

This method will reduce the amount of sand cloudiness in the water. Once you have completed step six, you may still need to do up to three or four water changes to reduce the cloudiness and may still need to let the water settle over night it will be ok for you to put your fish back (obviously once you have heated the water up!) once you have the temp up.

Just be aware that you need to be very gentle with the sand, or you will increase the cloudiness!

WOW! You managed to put that in much more simple terms than me lol
Thats pretty much what I was trying to write but couldnt think of how

 

[Ronnie27]

thanks for all the help will let you know how it goes