Tank Sand

[Coleissey]

Hi

Can anyone advise me what the best sand is to put in my tank....just want to make sure i get it right

Thanks

 

[StandbySetting]

Plain old play sand would be the cheapest and easiest option, just ensure you wash it well.

 

[Marto666]

Argos play sand... wash it well.

 

[Proxo]

Argos play sand... wash it well.

or homebase - slightly different colour (not as bright).

 

[Swizz]

Only a few short days ago, I switched to Silica sand. It looks great, and it hasn't effected the water chemistry at all..That's always a bonus
Regardless of what sand you choose from, Give it a good long wash in buckets. Good luck!

 

[Harlequins]

Yep argos play sand from me too - wash well

 

[Coleissey]

Sorry just one more question.....

How long can I keep the fish out of the tank, using the same water (heated of course) - can this be for a day or so providing it's a big enough replacement tank?

 

[Proxo]

Sorry just one more question.....

How long can I keep the fish out of the tank, using the same water (heated of course) - can this be for a day or so providing it's a big enough replacement tank?

I left the fish in both my tanks when switching to sand, it did take a little longer to do though.

Day 1, 50% water out, moved decor to 1 half of tank for fish to hide while i removed gravel with a cup (or whatever?)
then switched decor to other side of tank and removed other half of gravel then refilled tank.

Day 2, Cleaned sand and then pretty much done the same thing, slowely putting the sand in though.

Alot of people use them plastic storage boxes for temp tanks too. Put some decor in, tank water, filter, heater & should be okay
(I've never did this but seen a few people talk about it on here lol).

 

[Harlequins]

I left my fish in too when i changed over,more or less the same as proxo,except i got a nice thick tube and sucked the gravel out,it also picked up the debris up underneath the gravel,then when putting sand back in,make sure you've washed it until its clean,then give it another go once more just to be sure,the cleaner the sand the less cloudy the tank will be.
I used a large jug to put the sand in,let the jug fill slowly with tank water until its full with water and sand,then gently lower it down to the bottom and pour,if you do it gently it won't create a snow storm.

Remember to keep the filter off during this time.

Other peeps have removed the fish into a large plastic tubs with the heater and filter in there with them,but obviously has i've never done it this way i dont know how long the process takes.

 

[colleen0309]

I use the big tubs. I put the filter on from the tank I'm working on, and the heater, a few plants and the fish. I test the water if I have to leave them over night. The longest I've left them in the tub is 2 days with 1 pwc, just for my piece of mind.