I have a 125g tank with sand as substrate. Due to the messy nature of my oscar and my inability to vacuum the sand, I've decided to switch to gravel to improve water quality. My intention is to gradually (perhaps in the course of 4-6 days) remove the sand and eventually replace it with gravel. I don't want to take fish out but at the same time do not want to disturb their environment and/or bio-balance too much. Do you have any suggestions to make this transition relatively stress free for my fish?
Switching from sand to gravel
- Thread starter TML29
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Hmmm, that's a big undertaking, but doable. First of all, make sure you turn off your filters each time before you start removing sand.
Do you have a python? It can be somewhat useful in removing sand . . . but not great, just isn't as stressfull. Just work one area at a time--visually divide the tank into fourths or fifths--then allow to settle for a day or two so the fish will relax. When you put in the gravel, don't just dump it into the tank--that'll freak 'em out for sure!!
Good luck; I use sand in all my tanks, and grimace at the thought of changing over the big ones!!
Do you have a python? It can be somewhat useful in removing sand . . . but not great, just isn't as stressfull. Just work one area at a time--visually divide the tank into fourths or fifths--then allow to settle for a day or two so the fish will relax. When you put in the gravel, don't just dump it into the tank--that'll freak 'em out for sure!!
Good luck; I use sand in all my tanks, and grimace at the thought of changing over the big ones!!
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I'd do it in such a way as to allow you keep some of it in the tank in a some kind of net (tights/pantyhose) for a few days after the change; you could otherwise lose a significant amount of beneficial bacteria.
I would :
a) wash/rinse new substrate
b) remove fish
b) drain tank
c) scoop out substrate into some kind of container...newly bought dustpan might be useful to scoop with.
d) add new substrate
e) refill
f) add fish
g) put a load of old substrate into tights/pantyhose and place in tank for a week.
I would be inclined to have the fish out of the tank when doing this. Set up a large rubbermaid type thing or two if you don't have a spare tank, run filters and heaters on them and work like the clappers (might not even need heaters this time of year actually). I've not done it myself though...
I would :
a) wash/rinse new substrate
b) remove fish
b) drain tank
c) scoop out substrate into some kind of container...newly bought dustpan might be useful to scoop with.
d) add new substrate
e) refill
f) add fish
g) put a load of old substrate into tights/pantyhose and place in tank for a week.
I would be inclined to have the fish out of the tank when doing this. Set up a large rubbermaid type thing or two if you don't have a spare tank, run filters and heaters on them and work like the clappers (might not even need heaters this time of year actually). I've not done it myself though...
if there's any way to drain the python outside rather than down the drain, that's the method i would use. you can put the end into a bucket or something so there's not sand all over the yard. other than that, it's very simple. work slowly to avoid clogs though.
