Switching To Sand From Gravel

[buffalogal]

Hi,

I am starting an Amazon biotype inspired 35 gallon tank. Although I worked at a big box pet store for 2 years, I had never heard of the fishless cycling and decided it sounded like a great idea. Unfortunately, I already started with gravel thinking it would be easier and honestly(and this is stupid because I've been a gardener for years.) it never occured to me to do it another way. Now I want to switch. Should I wait for the tank to finish cycling first? I appreciate your advice. I'll start over if I have to, I'm just so impatient to start. Thanks again.

 

[Ilya]

You can drain the water, put it all in one huge bin. Then take out all of the sand. Rinse the aquarium out with the water in the bin (take some out and use it to wash). Then put in your sand. And add the water. Let the sand set for a day or two and restart the process. Also, put your filter media in the bin with the water. And keep the media wet with the same water until the sand sets. Then put it in .

 

[Matty P]

You can drain the water, put it all in one huge bin. Then take out all of the sand. Rinse the aquarium out with the water in the bin (take some out and use it to wash). Then put in your sand. And add the water. Let the sand set for a day or two and restart the process. Also, put your filter media in the bin with the water. And keep the media wet with the same water until the sand sets. Then put it in .

You should have the filter running in the bin because the benifitial bacteria requires the filter to be running to survive. (They are anerobic (need oxygen)) So if their is no movement at the surface and through the filter media they will die off much quicker.

 

[-SPB-]

I've recently changed from gravel to sand. This is how i did it. (This was my way as i have 2 tanks):

Put the filter in the other tank. (Keep the filter running in tank water as you need to keep your bacteria alive)

Put the fish in the other tank.

Completely emptied tank and removed gravel.

Washed sand for about 20 mins

Filled tank with treated tap water.

Put sand in.

left to stand for about 24hrs.

Put filter back in tank, then fish.

water was slightly cloudy for 2 or 3 days but it cleared.

Checked stats every day for about a week and all was fine.

This was about 2 weeks ago and i've had no problems.

 

[buffalogal]

Thank you all for your help. I got some eco-complete and black silica sand for my biotope and made the switch last night! I also got some more plants and some cool bogwood. I can't wait for the cycle to finish.

 

[Straydum]

what are you gonna stock it with?

 

[buffalogal]

what are you gonna stock it with?

This is what I've planned out:

1 German blue ram
1 Gold ram (hopefully opposite sex of the blue )
1 koi angel (I'd like 2, but don't want to overstock)
3-5 Hatchet fish
7 Rummy nose tetras
1 small pleco (they have albino bristlenose at my lfs. They have some fancier small ones too, but this one sounds like he will be gentle and do his "job"

The substrata is dark (another reason for the albino) and I have already begun planting it (mostly with small swords.)

What do you think? It's such a fun project!

 

[fishyfun]

Sound great !

Can you post some pictures (before and after shots ?) as I am also thinking of switching from gravel to sand and would like to see how the dark substrate looks !