Play sand as substrate

[tropfish]

ok so i think i'm finally gonna switch my black gravel with sand. I found a 50lb bag of play sand at lowes.com for $3.35. do i just wash the sand with water beforew i put it in? how would i put it in without swirling it everywhere, and do i have to take my fish out?

[Lady Hobbs]

Rinse the gravel several time before adding to the tank. Fill tank (slowly)then let sand settle before starting your pumps so sand doesn't get in the motor. Your tubes should be up away from the sand around 4 inches, as well. I cut mine off with a hack saw.

It would be nice if you didn't have to have the fish in the tank but some things can't be avoided. You will have to do another cycle since you are removing a main source of bacteria......the gravel.

[tropfish]

so this does involve emptying the tank? thanks for the info hobbs.

[xDopeBoY]

i had play sand in my tank before. everything was empty. when u add water its going to be dirty. i let it filter over night then added water chemicals then was able to put fish in.

[tropfish]

i dont have an extra tank to put them into tho. i have 2 2 galon bucket, and i could stick the airline and filter into those temporarily. how long does it take for the sand to settle?

[xDopeBoY]

it took mines overnight. mainly depends on your filter :]

[tropfish]

i thought you were supposed to wait for the sand to settle before useing the filter, to prevent damage to it.

[RobbieG]

I would definitely let the sand settle before turning on the filter.

[YaYgoldFish]

What i did was empty the tank, put in sand, add water, waited 3 hours and added my fish and went to bed. Next day i get up, go plus my filter and enjoy:)

[tropfish]

ok thanks! i think ill do that after vacation.

[Bill M.]

it took mines overnight. mainly depends on your filter :]


Sweet grammar, pal.... heh.. Just kidding... I think that the sand should settle overnight provided that there isn't any water agitation..

[Algenco]

If you want it done quicker, rinse the sand,place in tank, siphon most of the water back out, place a plate on the sand, refill (best done with a hose laying on the plate)

[tropfish]

ok, thanks bill and algenco thumbs2: