View Full Version : Hoping to switch from gravel to sand
Andy16
03-20-2003, 12:42 PM
currently i have a 20 gallon mbuna tank with black gravel. I really want sand but i have an undergravel filter. First of all i would need to know how much it would cost switching from an undergravel to a canister and the cost of sand. I would also need to know if this would affect bacterial growth and would cause a mass killing in my tank. and i dont know what kind of sand i should get. i dont want to wash out my fishes colors. thank u :)
EDIT: Thanks to whoever updated my post count too!!!!!!;)
I've got black sand...it's from Big Al's ....brand called "Tahitian Moon." It cost 30 dollars (CAN) for 20 pounds. While the dark sand made the colors of my rainbow cichlids appear darker and duller, my jewel cichlids, on the other hand, appear very bright in contrast. So I guess it might depend on the fish you have.
Andy16
03-20-2003, 1:57 PM
I have a cynotilapia afra, pseudotropheus socolofi, and a pseudotropheus longior.
fishlips
03-20-2003, 2:46 PM
I just switched my tank this past weekend. I switched out the gravel for crushed coral. I swapped another tank in the fall too. I try to save as much of the water as possible. I took out all rocks and kept them in the tank water. I took filter off and kept it wet. I clean out tank add my new substrate and pour the old water back in (very gently). I put rocks in that I saved and some fake plants. I try to save as much bacteria as possible. So far so good. The tank I did last fall had a small spike in ammonia and nitrite but it was back to normal in a week. You should buy your new filter first and seed it before making the switch. Make sure your sand is course enough or it will be messy. I used sand that was too fine and now I have to redo another tank. Good luck.
Forum221
03-20-2003, 7:15 PM
Fishlips, where did u get your sane from? Because I'm setting up a 75 gallon cichlid tank and was going to use black sandblasting sand from Home Depot that costs like $3 a bag. Do you think this is too small?
never heard of dat. is it safe for fish?
Originally posted by Forum221
I'm setting up a 75 gallon cichlid tank and was going to use black sandblasting sand from Home Depot that costs like $3 a bag
Forum221
03-20-2003, 7:25 PM
From what I have heard from a few other people, it works fine. Once I finally get this tank going, I will tell you how it works.
Tyler718
03-20-2003, 7:33 PM
I used sand blasting sand from Home Depot in my 20g planted. I had no problems. I used the medium grade. I've never seen the black kind there. I'll have to check it out.
Andy16
03-21-2003, 9:41 AM
Thanks for all of the reply:) I was just wondering if i even needed to get a cannister filter. I already have an aquaclear mini. Actually now that i think of it the mini wouldnt be enough. so could i just get another trickle filter or would i need a cannister filter instead?
Forum221
03-21-2003, 1:49 PM
Any good sized HOB filter should be enough. In my 20 gallon Convict tank, I only have one Penguin 170 that works fine.
Andy16
03-21-2003, 1:54 PM
So what would be the total cost of switching the gravel to sand and the new filter?
You'd have to decide exactly what filter and what type of sand you'd want and calculate it.
Andy16
03-21-2003, 2:10 PM
I already have an aquaclear mini so i was thinking like an aquaclear 100 or 200. Im still looking at the sand stuff.
Tyler718
03-21-2003, 7:14 PM
Originally posted by Andy16
I already have an aquaclear mini so i was thinking like an aquaclear 100 or 200. Im still looking at the sand stuff.
50 lbs of sand blasting sand from Home Depot is around $2.00 and I suggest and AC 200 for around $18-$20 online. I would still use the mini also.
Andy16
03-21-2003, 7:29 PM
Before i get into the white sand i also have black slate and i was wondering if this combination would look stupid.
Tyler718
03-21-2003, 11:11 PM
Originally posted by Andy16
Before i get into the white sand i also have black slate and i was wondering if this combination would look stupid.
It's all personal taste. Only you can decide this.
125gJoe
03-22-2003, 2:08 AM
Andy16, whatever you choose, stay away from UGF's..
Thanks...
Andy16
03-22-2003, 11:11 PM
It's all personal taste. Only you can decide this.
I know, but i personally dont know what it would look like after it is all done. I could also get some old lava rock from my brother... if he still has it from his old fish tank. Would that look better? Im not sure what the lava rock look like but it was used in his old SW tank. I beleive it is a reddish color.
fishlips
03-25-2003, 12:26 PM
I used tropical play sand from h-depot and its too fine. It made a mess out of my tank, filter and decor and I'll be redoing it soon. I don't know of their blasting stone but I'd get something on the large side. You need to rinse it good to get the dust out of it.
Andy16
03-25-2003, 4:00 PM
Thank you everbody, i switched it yesterday. I actually got black sand. It is the tahitain moon kind.
You got the sand from Home Depot? How does it look? Is there anyway that you could get a pic up so I could see it? What about your filters, did it make a mess of them? Reason im asking is this weekend I will be setting up a 75 gallon and have 20lb bag of Aragalive Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate from Foster and Smith and 75lbs of fine gravel. Though about mixing it will sand but wasnt so sure. I just want to make the best substrate possible for the plants that I will be putting in there.
famman
03-25-2003, 4:41 PM
The home depot white play sand is crushed marble and will raise your pH.
good luck
:)
Andy16
03-25-2003, 6:15 PM
Actually i went against what i said and got black sand. It looks great!!! I cant get any pics but it was called tahitain moon. It has made the water EXTREMELY cloudy though. I put a sock around the filter intake but that failed so i took the chance of letting in run in the dust. It is an aquaclear and it did fine. I did not get the sand from home depot either. I got it from my lfs (which is extremely expensive) and bought it for like $25. It was a 20 pound bag. It makes my fish look cool and i cant even see in the tank very well. Im hoping it will settle down soon. But i would recommed this and because it looks awesome.
ohhyeah....that tahitian moon stuff, I have it too, will really cloud up your tank regardless of how carefully you've rinsed it (so I've found). Mine took about a week to totally settle.
the other thing.......mine had a whole bunch of little white shell pieces mixed in with it, which have taken forever to sift out (there's still lots in there, too) grr!! is yours like that??
Andy16
03-26-2003, 9:09 PM
Nope no white shells in mine. Everyone hates you so thats probably why they gave you the crappy stuff.:D
JKJK