Switching To Sand

[NeonNeptune]

I was thinking of changing my aquarium to sand but how would I do this and how much would I need for a 20 gallon? Could I put fish back in the water when I'm done or does it need to cycle or could I put my gravel in a pot let sit there until it cycles? Also what are some good inexpensive sands? The ones at the pet store seem to be like $30for a small bag.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

I know how you feel about changing to sand. It is always good for the fish. When I did it I left my fish in the aquarium so i think you can put them back in right away as long as the sand has settled. For a 20 gallon you could have as little as 20 pounds to 40 pounds. It really depends on your tanks footprint (bottom area) and how deep you want the sand. Before you put the sand in though you need to make sure you have washed it thoroughly and taken a garden hose, a tub, and a long time. I think for sand a 20 pound bag costs about $25. What fish do you have?

 

[NeonNeptune]

All my fish are top water fish and mid level fish, but I want to get some corries and maybe even clams or burrowing snails. Could I use playground sand or is that a bad idea?

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

Playground sand isn't great because of what it could contain such as diseases. I would suggest going to petco because they have 20 pound bags of sand for $18. It is a great deal and you know that it is safe. All you have to do is wash it. Sand is required for cories so it would be a great choice. How large is your tank?

 

[NeonNeptune]

my tank is 2ft long, 1ft wide, 1 1/2ft high 20 gallon.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

What exactly are your fish you currently have? If you got cories you might be overstocking your tank depending on the fish you have.

 

[paulyoung666]

Playground sand isn't great because of what it could contain such as diseases.

playsand is pretty much the choice for sand over here , ~£5 for a bag , takes little cleaning as well .....

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

If it comes in a bag it would be ok.

 

[NeonNeptune]

It said on the a store's website that the sand is sterilized and safe for a fish bowl, so I guess that applies to aquariums. My fish are small, and I think two corries would be okay.

 

[fluttermoth]

Cories really shouldn't be kept in pairs. They're not happy unless kept in groups of at least six, preferably ten (of the same species).

Playsand is fine, as long as it's new and well rinsed. You can add the fish back in straight away, as long as you haven't let the filter dry out. 99% of your good bacteria are in the filter, not the substrate (unless you have an undergravel filter), so changing from gravel to sand shouldn't affect your cycle at all.

With any major work on your tank, like changing sustrate, you should feed sparingly and test often over the next few days, just to make sure everything has settled well

 

[This Younger Spouse]

We use play sand a lot in our tanks. It's dirt cheap (pardon the pun). Only about $4 for 20 lbs. Any hardware store or Home Despot, Lowlies or Mehards will have it, assuming you're over here in the States. You could get by with 20 lbs with the tall 20-gallon tank, but at those prices I'd get two bags. That allows you enough to build a sloping substrate that is low in front of the tank and higher in the back.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Playground sand isn't great because of what it could contain such as diseases.

playsand is pretty much the choice for sand over here , ~£5 for a bag , takes little cleaning as well .....

Diseases? Blimey wouldnt be much good for kids to play with if it was riddled with nasties.

I use it coz it is cheap & looks the business.


Tom

 

[NeonNeptune]

Thankfully, the hardware store is right next to the pet shop lol so getting some play sand won't be a problem.

 

[dbanner]

I used to use play sand in all my tanks because its cheap and doesn't look too bad but iv recently changed 2 of my tanks from play sand to black unipac Limpopo sand. It looks sooo much better.

When I changed 1 of my 1st tanks from gravel to play sand I just rinsed the sand several times, took the fish out and put them in a smaller tank, then took the gravel out, tipped the rinsed sand in, waited a few minutes for it to settle and put the fish back in... Simple as that.