Switching to sand from gravel

[freash_water_monster]

I was deciding to switch to sand this is the sand i want to get this sand CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand Premium Aquarium Substrate at PETCO its white i heard that you have to have a 2 inch bed and you should get a pound per gallon. That would turn out to be $45.81 and i dont want to pay that much and i really want white sand. Any other advice about switching to sand . And if my fish will like it down below they are

 

[ryanoh]

I have about an inch an a half of play sand in my 40 gallon, which is about 50 pounds. I think I payed like six dollars for it.

 

[nanu156]

Play sand is cheap... This is a huge undertaking as you have to do a full breakdown... I also want to do this but the idea of breaking down tanks to nothing and then putting it all back together has deterred me...

Play sand is available at home depot.

 

[kenny1tothe6]

Just FYI, There's another option besides play sand...pool filter sand...

It's pretty cheap too[I payed $8 for a 50# bag] and it looks really cool, IMO!

A few pics:
My 55gal with it:

My friend's 55gal with it[I post this one cuz it's nicer then mine...lol]:

Like Marcy says tho, it'd require a full tank break down, time to clean the sand[and wait out the dust cloud]...but I think it's worth it...

 

[freash_water_monster]

Just FYI, There's another option besides play sand...pool filter sand...

It's pretty cheap too[I payed $8 for a 50# bag] and it looks really cool, IMO!

A few pics:
My 55gal with it:

My friend's 55gal with it[I post this one cuz it's nicer then mine...lol]:

Like Marcy says tho, it'd require a full tank break down, time to clean the sand[and wait out the dust cloud]...but I think it's worth it...

is it white i cant tell

 

[nanu156]

both pool sand and play sand are light sand colors. not really white, but whitish... I believe they are actually the same thing.

Shop QUIKRETE 50 Lb. Play Sand at Lowes.com

Here it is a Lowes, its 2.98 for a 50lb bag so that would do ya for a 20g tank or so, if you have a 55 it would cost ya 6 or so... Most 70,90g tanks have the same footprint as the 55 so 2 bags would do them as well.

Where abouts in Detroit are ya?

 

[freash_water_monster]

Where abouts in Detroit are ya?

Actually im not in detriot im in little bit west of it . I dont know if you know ahh the hines park area

 

[nanu156]

lol yeah, im north oakland county.

If you are up for a drive I will tell you the best fish shop ever for freshwater is on M59 midway between pontiac and US23. It's a hike but my oh my is it a great store. It's called highland tropical. The one in R Oak is pretty nice too, but a lot more expencive. It's also auction season if you are looking to get some good looking fish let me know i can point you to an auction.

 

[freash_water_monster]

ya thanks theres this fish store Its Called Something Fishy and thats the best store i have every been to its in ford road in westland it has some saltwater stuff and alot of fresh water stuff but its kinda on the expensive side

 

[freash_water_monster]

And its about an hour drive and i will have to check it out one day when im out there

 

[nanu156]

Something Fishy has a location in Clio as well (north of flint) check out the auctions they end in october but you can find super cool stuff for great prices. They are generally around ferndale R. oakish... I think there were a couple in Novi area last year.

Anywho you going to make the switch to sand? Tell me how it goes, i would love to do the same but the task is going to be a killer.

 

[freash_water_monster]

Thanks ,
Ya but first i need to find a tank to house my fish in while i switch it and i dont think no one will im pretty sure all my fish will go good in my grandmas tank its a 40 long expect my angels cause she has a gourami in there

 

[Lionel]

I'll bet if you planned it out well you could only need to relocate the fish for an hour or so. Make sure you have water available for a 25percent water change and wash the sand beforehand by fluidizing it with a garden hose in a 5gal bucket for 10-15 minutes. Move 3/4 of your tank water into a clean rubbermaid or sterilite container, transfer your filter to the container, move the fish, remove decorations and plants, scoop up your gravel, siphon out the scummy leftover water, rinse, put the sand in, replace decor and filter and fish.

 

[Thyra]

Or even a cooler would work for as long as you need. Certainly its not worth subjecting the fish to someones aquarium for a day. There could be a big pH change, etc.

 

[freash_water_monster]

Ya i thing i will put my bigger fish in this cooler and my ghost shrimp and my corys in this ten or twenty gallon tank i have do u think they would be fine with a filter in the other tank beacuse im going to put the filter in the cooler. and another thing do you think i could put my heater in the cooler or would they be fine?

 

[nanu156]

with the temps round here lately i would turn off your heater and let your tank temp drop down to room temp, then toss them in a 40g-55g garbage can with the filter and bubbler running right in the can, do your change then move your fish 24 hours later.

 

[freash_water_monster]

Ok ive decided to start a new tank . Im still going to use sand but in the other one. Im starting a planted tank and i was wondering could i use just sand and grow plants or do i need clay or dirt with it?

 

[Orion]

I would advise against play sand and at least go with the pool filter sand. I had a few tanks in the past with play sand and it only took a few months for anaerobic bacteria to start building up. What ever you use, I just wouldn't go with anything that has fine granules.

Plants wont do super great in regular sand. They do make special sand for plants or you can use root tabs to give them a boost.

 

[freash_water_monster]

Hey nanu where was higland tropical at is it in white lake

 

[Kallen]

I thought play sand had chemicals or something in that made it unsuitable for aquarium use? Or that's what I've always heard...