I need advice on switching to a sand substrate

Recently my corydoras have had issues with their barbels because of the gravel substrate I'm using. I don't want it to get any worse for them so I've decided I want to switch my substrate to sand. I am completely new to this kind of substrate.
Is there anything I need to know when using sand e.g. how do I clean it? What type would be best for corydoras who like digging and sifting? What colour is best etc
Any help would be really appreciated
A picture of my tank is below- it's a 25 gal with black widow tetras and sterbai Cory. Would my plants be okay in sand ? And would my fish adjust as I am also worried it could be stressful

 

Most of it as far as color and fineness is personal preference. Make sure to rinse it good to avoid a cloudy mess before putting it in. As far as vaccing it goes, i usually just get the vac just close enough to pick up poop n stuff.

 

Most of it as far as color and fineness is personal preference. Make sure to rinse it good to avoid a cloudy mess before putting it in. As far as vaccing it goes, i usually just get the vac just close enough to pick up poop n stuff.

Great thank you!

 

if you are not going to remove the fish, drain remove gravel, add sand, and then refill .... changing to sand can be messy. even rinsed well you can’t just add it to a full tank, as in dump it in.

I added sand by using a 1 gallon plastic bag - filled with 1/2 or so at a time sealed it, lower to the bottom open and then slowly empty the bag, repeat I was doing a 55 gallon so 3 max in a day took a week. I layered over my gravel I did scoop out a few pounds each time, in a smaller tank could do the same. Plants stayed mostly put and I did not need to remove fish. If you intend to fully remove the Gravel probably best to just sort of reset the tank, remove the fish then Change it out to how you want refill and add fish back - and it will be stressful at least a little to fish either way - personally the slower over time way worked for me. Most plants will root in sand just fine but - very fine tight packed sand can prevent root growth, so just be mindful. I find cleaning to be easier in pmy sand bottom tanks as you don’t really stick the siphon in the sand more just hover over, so less pulling up roots etc seems to go faster ..idk. Big man’s point color is preference etc. Just make sure there are no dyes or additives if your not getting aquarium specific sand.
Just my two long winded cents. GL !

 

I swapped over to sand and the biggest issue I had was how much of it floated. Had to clean my filters a few times per week or they started getting noisy.

i clean my sand When I do water changes and I do it just like a did gravel. So far it seems the sand stays cleaner for longer periods so I just suck up poop 3x a month and vacuum half of it 1x a month and the other half the next month.

 

if you are not going to remove the fish, drain remove gravel, add sand, and then refill .... changing to sand can be messy. even rinsed well you can’t just add it to a full tank, as in dump it in.

I added sand by using a 1 gallon plastic bag - filled with 1/2 or so at a time sealed it, lower to the bottom open and then slowly empty the bag, repeat I was doing a 55 gallon so 3 max in a day took a week. I layered over my gravel I did scoop out a few pounds each time, in a smaller tank could do the same. Plants stayed mostly put and I did not need to remove fish. If you intend to fully remove the Gravel probably best to just sort of reset the tank, remove the fish then Change it out to how you want refill and add fish back - and it will be stressful at least a little to fish either way - personally the slower over time way worked for me. Most plants will root in sand just fine but - very fine tight packed sand can prevent root growth, so just be mindful. I find cleaning to be easier in pmy sand bottom tanks as you don’t really stick the siphon in the sand more just hover over, so less pulling up roots etc seems to go faster ..idk. Big man’s point color is preference etc. Just make sure there are no dyes or additives if your not getting aquarium specific sand.
Just my two long winded cents. GL !

Great thank you! I think I'll probably need to remove all of my gravel to avoid anymore issues with my Cory's, so I was thinking of basically making a temporary tank with the water and plants in a huge plastic tub I have which hopefully will help me not have to cycle the tank again and everything. How long would It take for sand to settle down if I did it all in one heap? Thanks so much for your help!

I swapped over to sand and the biggest issue I had was how much of it floated. Had to clean my filters a few times per week or they started getting noisy.

i clean my sand When I do water changes and I do it just like a did gravel. So far it seems the sand stays cleaner for longer periods so I just suck up poop 3x a month and vacuum half of it 1x a month and the other half the next month.

Would this happen with an external filter? I have a fluval 107 and I wouldn't want it to suck any sand in as this could damage it. Thanks!

 

Wash the sand by putting it in a bucket and rubbing warm water over it until the water level is well above the sand, turn it over with your hands to release dust, then pour it off slowly to avoid losing sand. Do this until the water runs clear. It will also help remove any floaters or lighter-than-sand contaminants.

you can add it all in one go, I just used a plastic cup to scoop wet sand and gently lower it to its destination.

 

Wash the sand by putting it in a bucket and rubbing warm water over it until the water level is well above the sand, turn it over with your hands to release dust, then pour it off slowly to avoid losing sand. Do this until the water runs clear. It will also help remove any floaters or lighter-than-sand contaminants.

you can add it all in one go, I just used a plastic cup to scoop wet sand and gently lower it to its destination.

Thanks so much that's really helpful!