Switching To Sand?

[K.J.]

I just finished my fishless cycle, and was going to get some corydoras for my 10g. (or order some) and I'd like to switch to sand, since I started with gravel. Am going to order/buy the fish today so I would like to know how to keep the filter bacteria alive while doing it.

Also, am I really cycled? Ammonia could process in 12 hours very quickly and yesterday I added ammonia, got a reading of 5.0 nitrite at 11 in the morning, and by 11 at night it was down to zero. That was two days ago. Am I safe?

 

[Luketendo]

Yeah i'd say you're cycled, have you done a big water change to get rid of nitrate?

 

[K.J.]

Nope, just been adding some ammonia every day till I get fish. But I forgot, was gonna move the platies to that tank and keep guppies and cories in the planted tank, no need to switch to sand.

 

[Luketendo]

Well before you stock fish make sure your nitrate levels are low and not off the chart, if they are do a 75-90% water change.