Changing Into New Substrate?

Hello!

So I’m wanting to change my tanks interior decorations into a more natural environment because right now I have pink, blue, purple, you name it color plants in their and I wanted to change to like a grassy environment, and I didn’t want the white rocks that I had in the tank either.

With that in mind will I be able to change the rocks completely? As well as all the (fake) plants? Also if anyone has any ideas or recommendations/ diys for a tank interior design let me know I’d gladly take ideas!

Thanks!

 

Yes, you can change substrate.
If you are planting, you can do a planted substrate, which isn’t really necessary if you plan on basic plants. In that case, regular sand will work, like PFS or black sand. I find that pool filter sand makes a great choice for planted tanks.

I have a small planted tank, and I use black sand, along with root tabs and flourish.

 

Yes, you can change substrate.
If you are planting, you can do a planted substrate, which isn’t really necessary if you plan on basic plants. In that case, regular sand will work, like PFS or black sand. I find that pool filter sand makes a great choice for planted tanks.

I have a small planted tank, and I use black sand, along with root tabs and flourish.

Okay I was thinking about sand but personally I thought sand was hard to clean. Do you have sand? And I'm going to stick with fake plants for now I’m still learning about my own fish let alone live plants. hehe

 

Okay I was thinking about sand but personally I thought sand was hard to clean. Do you have sand? And I'm going to stick with fake plants for now I’m still learning about my own fish let alone live plants. hehe

It’s so common for people to believe that sand is hard to clean, but it’s actually much easier! It doesn’t trap debris like gravel does, and it’s easier to vacuum when there is waste needing to be cleaned

 

Sand is easy to clean, just take the vacuum wand and swirl it close to the substrate to pick up debris. Either pool filter sand or BDBS is much cheaper then what you can get from the pet store.

 

It’s so common for people to believe that sand is hard to clean, but it’s actually much easier! It doesn’t trap debris like gravel does, and it’s easier to vacuum when there is waste needing to be cleaned

Okay thanks maybe I’ll reconsider!

 

Sand is easy to clean, just take the vacuum wand and swirl it close to the substrate to pick up debris. Either pool filter sand or BDBS is much cheaper then what you can get from the pet store.

Welp I believe I’m going to do sand, but how much sand should I add? WC wise do I treat it just like with rocks except not to put the wand inside the sand, instead place on top of sand to collect the debris?

 

Welp I believe I’m going to do sand, but how much sand should I add? WC wise do I treat it just like with rocks except not to put the wand inside the sand, instead place on top of sand to collect the debris?

What size is your tank? In my 100 gallon 5' tank I used 150lbs of BDBS to give me 2-3" of substrate. There more then enough substrate for planting live plants.

 

What size is your tank? In my 100 gallon 5' tank I used 150lbs of BDBS to give me 2-3" of substrate. There more then enough substrate for planting live plants.

My tank is 29-gallon and like I had said I’m not going to be doing live plants.

 

One 50 pound bag of Pool Filter Sand or BDBS, once its rinsed use as much as you want until you get the desired dep you want. without live plants an 1 1/2 to 2 inches should be fine.

 

One 50 pound bag of Pool Filter Sand or BDBS, once its rinsed use as much as you want until you get the desired dep you want. without live plants an 1 1/2 to 2 inches should be fine.

Can you give me a brand of pool filter sand please?

 

I don't use pool filter sand which is white in color. The white shows everything. I use the Black Diamond Blasting Sand in medium grit from Tractor Supply. The black substrate doesn't show as much debris and with the back glass painted black the fish and plant colors really pop. But I think HTH makes pool filter sand or check with the local pool supply store. It runs about $11-12 for a 50 lb bag off the top of my head.

 

If yo go with pool sand you want #20 silica sand. It is completely inert and won't affect your pH.

 

I had standard black gravel, and switched to sand and it's soooooo much easier for cleaning (food and gunk can't collect between rocks..) and way easier on bottom dwellers.
My cories are absolutely different personalities now that they're free to snort around the sand as opposed to hurting themselves on rough gravel.