Transfering My Gravel Tank Into Sand?

[welsh_jester]

hiya all i want to change my current gravel tank into sand ( ibought play sand from argos) how do i go about it? how long do i leave the saned settle before i re-add the fish back? i have a 60l it currently got 8 cardinals and 2 female guppys.

also im not sure about the filter at the top it has a thing where the outflow it u can either have it down where 1 hole has the outflow or u can lift it up so it has 2 holes what is the best to use? also at the top it has a lil clear pipe comein out of it with a black thing that blocks the pipe at the top do i need this attached to the filter as i dont see what it does can any1 shred some light on it? i dont know much about the filter its a internal ehime ( not sure about spelling) sponge. also have a 8" air stone in there could it be to much flow in there? i current have the filter so theres 2 gaps open but not sure weather to push it down so theres just 1?

thanks andrew

 

[welsh_jester]

??

 

[drobbyb]

What you want to do is get all your old gravel out. A cup works well for scooping. Make sure you have rinsed your sand very well before you add it to the tank. Spread the sand around evenly or with a slight slope to the front to make for easier vacuuming. Place a plate or saucer into the tank where the flow will be when refilling the tank (you want to do this to prevent the flow from moving your nice sculpted sand around.) Dechlorinate as per usual. Re-acclimate your fish to their new enviornment and enjoy!

 

[welsh_jester]

do i need to let it all settle for a few hours or so?

 

[drobbyb]

You can. Those fine particles will be in the water for quite a while making it appear cloudy. After a few days it will clear up.

 

[welsh_jester]

but its still ok so add them back soon as put the sand in?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Check this link out.

but its still ok so add them back soon as put the sand in?

You are going to have to wait until the sand settles after you put it into the tank to add fish.

-FHM