Switching Substrates?

[donny7]

I would like to convert my tropical 20g from gravel to sand. Before I go on about my question, I have a question.

I've learned a great deal of knowledge from this website and by asking many many questions. I have no idea about sand, but the person I buy my fish equipment from said you cannot have plants growing in sand, because it'll 1) choke the nutrients off because it's packed the way it is and 2) it'll cause a buildup of toxic gases. Now, this guy doesn't dechorilnate his water, but he has the most beautiful 150g cichlid tank I will ever see. Is this true?

If not, how do I go about changing substrates? Currently in the tank is

x1 dojo loach
x4 silver mollies
x2 black mollies
x5 minor tetras
x1 pleco
x1 dwarf frog
x3 swordtails

I want to do it tomorrow... I'm buying sand from a pet store, probably this

http/www.petco.com/product/112365/CaribSea-Instant-Aquarium-Moonlight-Sand-Gravel.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch


Will I need to cure it, or rinse it out throughly in a bucket? If so, after that, how do I get it into the tank, as well as effectively removing the gravel? Not to mention, is 20lbs sufficient for a 20g planted tank? Thanks.

 

[fluttermoth]

Plenty of people have plants growing in sand, so that's not a problem. As for the toxic gases...well, I've seen a good few arguments on this site about wether it's possible for the gases to kill fish or not; so I'll just say that as long as you give the sand a stir every now and then it won't happen anyway.

I have no idea about that particuklar sand with its 'lie bacteria', so don't know if it needs washing or not; I would assume it'll tell you on the bag.

You might be able to syphon a lot of the gravel out using a wide bore pipe like a hose; but it's going to have to be a remove fish/strip down tank job, I'm afraid. Shouldn't take you too long though.