Tank Base/substrate Change - Should I Expect Anything Bad?

[luke4868]

Hi Guys

I have a Fluval Edge which has been going for about 5 months now, it has 6 guppies and 1 small plec (who is leaving next week anyway to go to a larger tank).

I'm planning an changing the base from gravel to sand, so I can grow a floor of Riccia plant on the bottom...

Should I expect any major changes to my ecosystem, such as ammonia spikes etc that could effect the fish?

Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

No, you won't experience any ammonia spikes or anything like that. Nearly all the beneficial live in the filter; there are none to speak of in your substrate.

All I'll say is wash it over and over again until it's clean, and then do it some more. Much better to spend some extra time washing it in the bucket than having it cloud your tank for days!

 

[algir]

This may bring on a potential Mini-Cycle (in my experience), but with the mature media in your tank this should not take long to pass. Good luck!

 

[luke4868]

No, you won't experience any ammonia spikes or anything like that. Nearly all the beneficial live in the filter; there are none to speak of in your substrate.

All I'll say is wash it over and over again until it's clean, and then do it some more. Much better to spend some extra time washing it in the bucket than having it cloud your tank for days!

Thanks Yeah I will do, have enough of a job keeping the tank clear as it is, the algae wafers are so messy... not to mention the plec doesn't touch them anyway, he just likes cucumber.

 

[algir]

Try feeding TetraMin tropical tablets, they are less messy!

 

[luke4868]

Try feeding TetraMin tropical tablets, they are less messy!

It will be fine, the plec is moving to a friends tank this week anyway, he's gotten too big for my little Edge tank

 

[STEWARDSONS]

i didint wash my sand and its the biggest mistake i EVER made. everytime i move an ornament or put in plants etc i get a dirty tank for a few hours until my filter sorts it out.

i sooo wish i had washed the sand. make sure you put it in a bucket and swirl it round with water then tip the water out almost straight away as any sand you see floating in the bucket water will end up being floating sand in your tank

 

[hanny93]

Also be prepare dfor a LOT of gunk thats hidden under the gravel, no matter how much one gravel vacs, there seems to be about a bucket full of rotting food, poo and other bits and pieces. Utterly disgusting! Siphon out as much as you can or it might get caught under the sand and degrade casuing pokcets of anaerobic (BAD) bacteria to develop

 

[luke4868]

Also be prepare dfor a LOT of gunk thats hidden under the gravel, no matter how much one gravel vacs, there seems to be about a bucket full of rotting food, poo and other bits and pieces. Utterly disgusting! Siphon out as much as you can or it might get caught under the sand and degrade casuing pokcets of anaerobic (BAD) bacteria to develop

Thanks Hanny The fish will moving moving into a bucket for an hour or so, so I can give it a good proper clean before putting the sand in

Does anyone have any particular recommendations on where to get the sand? (Obviously play sand)

 

[Tizer]

people on here use Argos a lot i believe, me, i got silica sand from maidenhead aquatics at £20 a bag

 

[luke4868]

people on here use Argos a lot i believe, me, i got silica sand from maidenhead aquatics at £20 a bag

I just got 15kg play sand from Argos £3, the fish love it They are now self cleaning fish pretty much

 

[TheWidowMaker86]

i didint wash my sand and its the biggest mistake i EVER made. everytime i move an ornament or put in plants etc i get a dirty tank for a few hours until my filter sorts it out.

i sooo wish i had washed the sand. make sure you put it in a bucket and swirl it round with water then tip the water out almost straight away as any sand you see floating in the bucket water will end up being floating sand in your tank

was just reading down the comments and i thought... when you do a water change, why not take some sand out with it.. give it a little stir, pour out the most of the water and put the sand back in? its just a theory but on the long run it could help you out and look after your filter too,
Note. i am new to the hobby and its just a theory that i come up with after reading your post, id appreciate feedback and constructive criticism..

 

[TheWidowMaker86]

Hi Guys

I have a Fluval Edge which has been going for about 5 months now, it has 6 guppies and 1 small plec (who is leaving next week anyway to go to a larger tank).

I'm planning an changing the base from gravel to sand, so I can grow a floor of Riccia plant on the bottom...

Should I expect any major changes to my ecosystem, such as ammonia spikes etc that could effect the fish?

Thanks

I did the same thing, and for the same concern- i put the gravel in a stocking and put the sand in (after cleaning) and left the stocking of gravel in the tank for a few days.. this would help keep the changes to the ecosystem to a minimum if any. its better to be safe than sorry

 

[Aqua Tom]

people on here use Argos a lot i believe, me, i got silica sand from maidenhead aquatics at £20 a bag

I use generic playsand from wherever is selling it cheapest. Argos is good but I have found playsand from the Range that is slightly darker in colour which I prefer.