Upgrading From Gravel To Sand?

Krishan · Feb 12, 2011

Hello There,

Currently we have a 120 Litre fish tank, with tropical fishes inside there, mostly livebearers.

At the present moment we have had this new fish tank for around 4 years now, and didnt change background nor gravel.

However as we have just changed the background to a shiny dark blue, the gravel which is all multi coloured looks very funny now, and it doesnt look good.

So I was thinking off changing from gravel to sand, and was looking at the play sand 15kg £2.99 from Argos?

So I have a few questions for you all who have changed from gravel to sand.

1) what is more better and more appealing to the eye? gravel and sand?

2) any complications when changing?

Also another worry is that we can not move the fishes into another tank, as we haven't got one, so when changing, what can be done?

When changing can we empty the water near about half? and then start taking the gravel out?

Also another question is do we clean the sand how we clean the gravel when first purchased? clean it lots of times until you can not see any cloudlyness?

When putting it inside the aquarium best way?

Also we have that pump thingy cant remember the name, and its for the gravel so we use that for the gravel, so any dirt can be taken from the pump to the bucket.... so was wondering if we use the pump for the sand wouldn't it suck up all the sand instead?

Sorry for asking alot of questions, really do not know where to stand, and cleaning maybe a problem.

Thank you in advance

Kind Regards
Krishan

Heres a pic of my tank sorry for the quality, the background has changed finally

guppi · Feb 12, 2011

I changed to play sand very recently and dont regret it one bit, looks miles better to me.
Best way to wash it is in small amount in a bucket with hosepipe just keep on folding the sand with your hands then let it settle and empty the water keep doing this till its clear.
I would put all the fish in a large bucket with the filter and air stone ect, shouldnt take to long to empty tank, keep some old water tho. I just spread all the sand out about a inch thick and fill up the tank in to a bowl so not to disturb the sand the water was clear as a bell. Sand is very easy to clean. Hope this helps.

lilfishie · Feb 12, 2011

i have sand in all my tanks, would never change it, its actually easier to clean than gravel as the mess sits on top rather than falling through

Rynofasho · Feb 12, 2011

Ok, I just did this last night so Ill try to answer the best I can.

) what is more better and more appealing to the eye? gravel and sand?

Entirely up to you - as the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder

any complications when changing?

So long as you have a plan, no. If you don't have live plants to plant while overhauling it is pretty simple and pretty fast.

Also another worry is that we can not move the fishes into another tank, as we haven't got one, so when changing, what can be done?

I got two 55L tubs while at a Home Depot. One I used for cleaning sand, the other to put the fish in. I put a small layer of sand on the bottom of the tub and put a few of my old fake stuff in there for some hiding places to try to make the fish as at ease as possible during the rehoming. I also took my HOB filter from the main tank and put it on the side, and my heater as well (it won't hurt plastic if it is just a few hours or so). I siphoned water from the current tank to the tub to fill it as high as I could so that the fish remained in the water they were used to. Everyone did fine.

When changing can we empty the water near about half? and then start taking the gravel out?

Doesn't really matter, whatever you find to be easiest. Once I had the 55L tub pretty filled, I took out as much water as I could siphon out and then pushed the gravel to one side and scooped it out. Works well til the end and which point you just have to pick a bunch out. Eventually it was pretty bare but still dirty from the nasties that find their way between the gravel. Took the tank in the shower and rinsed it out for good measure.

Also another question is do we clean the sand how we clean the gravel when first purchased? clean it lots of times until you can not see any cloudlyness?

Find yourself a 5 gallon bucket and fill it about a third of the way with sand. Start filling with water, and just whirl it all around with your arm. Repeat about eleventy billion times until it runs pretty darn clear, even after you're whirling. Put the clean sand in the other 55L tub if you aren't putting it in the tank immediately, or go plop it in the tank.

When putting it inside the aquarium best way?

Create your layout of sand (try not to get much deeper than an inch anywhere, especially if you arent planting), then start siphoning water from a bucket into the tank. Use a dinner plate to siphon the water on to so it isn't just nailing the sand and kicking it up every which way. Once you have it fairly full that way, I personally started siphoning the water that was in with my fish back into the tank. I have bad water parameters though (big pH fluctuations from tap to matured in tank), so I don't ever change more than like 30% water at a time to try to avoid the shock anyhow. If your water from the tap is fine, just fill it all the way with fresh water. Once you get high enough you can scrap the plate.

Also we have that pump thingy cant remember the name, and its for the gravel so we use that for the gravel, so any dirt can be taken from the pump to the bucket.... so was wondering if we use the pump for the sand wouldn't it suck up all the sand instead?

Either you are talking about an undergravel filter or just a gravel vac (I think the latter). If you're talking UGF, no, you cannot use it with sand. For the gravel vac, the good thing about sand is that all the gunk stays on top. So start your siphon, and you can just get pretty close to the sand and most the poo and gunk will come flying!