changing subtrate

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

i want to change my subtrate from gravel to sand. to help my c.moorii and Fossorochromis rostratus sift through the sand for food.

but the problem is i have to remove the gravel then replace it with the sand while the fish are in the tank if posible. how would i go about this procese of subtrate switching

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

also what type of sad would be good here i can get assorted river sands or lithgow white sands which 1 of these whold be good their are like 4 types of river sands at the shop

[Cearbhaill]

I just removed a sand substrate from a tank without taking out the fish.
I used a new rubbermaid shallow container and a new rubbermaid dustpan. I just set the shallow container on the bottom of the aquarium and slowly scooped sand into it with the dustpan. As the container got full I brought it out of the aquarium and dumped it into a handy garbage can.
It actually went much faster and easier than I could have hoped.

To add the new substrate just reverse the process- wash it really, really well first. The fill a bucket with it and slowly sink the bucket into the water- don't dump it til the bucket is on the bottom.
I've even added Onyx sand this way with no cloudy water whatsoever.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

yeah but i have gravel not sand i think i might get a wide tube and coke bottle connest the tube tp the hole at the top and cut the bottle 1/2 the way up like a gravel cleaner but shorter so the gravel gets sucked up instead but thanks for the suggestion anymore are also welcome

[dave76]

Dont you think it would be easier to put the fish in a bucket while you do it? It MIGHT be a little more stressful to the fish but a lot easier on you.

[scott]

I agree with Dave. When I changed mine from gravel to sand I got a used ten gallon to put the fish in.

[jimbo]

Wouldn't it be easier to siphoning the gravel using a piece of hose a big bucket and a sift? Just put the water back into the tank every time the bucket gets full and dump the gravel.
When you combine the gravel into sand-change with a water
change, you probably don’t have to pour all the water back into the tank.

After you’ve washed and rinsed the new sand thoroughly, put it in a strong plastic bag, cut out one of the corners (at the bottom), and “pour” it into the tank holding the bag an inch or so from the bottom.
That’s how I’m doing it when I’m cleaning the sand once every 3 months.

Jimmy

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

now i need a way to clean the gravel while its in the tank like the gravel cleaner but the GC sucks up the sand?? any suggestions

[Arvo]

that is why I switch back from sand to gravel....

Also, the sand kept on getting into the filter and ruinning the roter/magnet...
(I had a AC200)...

good luck with your set up.

[DarthV]

Try holding your suction tube a couple of inches above the sand and swirl it around in little circles. The wastes should lift off the sand and get sucked up. It just takes a little bit of practice to get it right.

[BV77]

I would remove the fish, so if any anerobic pockets were opened up while scooping out the old media, the fish won't suffer. Then I would use that opportunity to do a good water change (30%) I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but that is what I do.