Working Up To Changing To Sand

[This Old Spouse]

I'm slowly but surely working up to changing out my gravel for sand. I have a volunteer who's traveling back with some good, light play sand. I'll buy the clear tote to temporarily house the fish. I'm feeling a little bad because of having to uproot my plants, which have finally started looking great. But I'm not going to worry too much.

What I am worried about is the good bacteria that's been collecting on the gravel for the past 8 or 9 months. Should I just keep a close look at the stats once everything is switched over? I have 2 HOB filters, both rated for 60+ gallons, both cycled, so I wouldn't think there would be any problems. Right?

 

[fluttermoth]

There will be very, very little bacteria on your gravel (as your not using a UG filter). There's always a very slight risk of a mini cycle when you do something major, like changing substrate, in a tank, but even if it does happen, it'll only be a day or two before your filter catches up, that's all

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thank goodness. *whew*

 

[Rynofasho]

Yep, you should be good. There is always SOME bacteria in there, so if you're worried, double dose Prime or whatever you use to detoxify for the few days after. It can't hurt anything, but it can give you peace of mind.

 

[This Old Spouse]

One other thing ... I have two HOB filters on my 55g. When I switch over to sand should I add a power head?

 

[fluttermoth]

Only if you find the surface of your sand becoming overcome with bits of poop! Then you might want to add a powerhead to stop it settling and send it towards the intakes of your filters.

If that doesn't happen (it hasn't in any of mine), then no, you don't need any extra filtration or flow

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If you kept it low, it might help to keep any build-up from settling on the sand, but I don't think that it is necessary. If your tank is planted it would help with circulation, but I don't think it is necessary because you have sand.


Pour the sand into your tub from a distance, and let the wind push the lightest particles away before you even start to rinse it. You'd be surprised exactly how much dust there is and how much LESS cleaning you will actually have to do. It worked like a charm for me... also don't try to clean more than about 1 gallon of the sand at a time. Use a little sand and a LOT of water.