Azurkan

Hello, I am looking into adding some sand into my tank for my fish and turtle. I added a post on my turtle forum to see if they had any responses and I'm sure most of them will tell me to empty the tank and then add it...my problem with that is that I have a curse...everytime I do something like this my fish never make it. I was wondering if it was possible to add sand to an already inhabited tank? If so then how? and if not what can I do to ensure my fish survive the change?

eiginh

It would be easier if you have 5 gallon buckets to put the water and fish in but since you had some bad times at previous attempts, Try taking half the tank's water out and put into a bucket or do a %50 water change and add the sand. This would make your tank really cloudy but will settle after an hour or so.

Azurkan

Okay that sounds like a good idea I have an Ovation 700 Internal Filter would that be okay to leave in an running once I add the Sand or should I try using a regular Clip on filter till the Cloudyness settles?

Nutter

Eiginh is on the money there but you will still have to take all the fish out.
Your internal filter will be fine just make sure that it a few inches off the bottom so it doesn't suck the sand into it & that it isn't pumping the water down at the sand as that will stir it right up. If you use an airstone I reccomend putting gravel substrate around it so that you don't get sand being stirred up from it either. Otherwise you will want to stick your hand in there everyday to brush the sand of the decor near the stone.

Azurkan

hmmmm okay then I guess my next question is, if I take the fish out what can I do to ensure their survival.....I'm kinda jinxed with the "fish outta water" bit

eiginh

Put the heater in the bucket that's in your fish tank and have same temps. Do not over crowd the bucket if you have a lot of fish. If you have a lid for the bucket put the lid on so your fish won't be too stressed.

Azurkan

OK I will try that when we get the sand thanks for the advice