Making The Substrate Switch!

Today I am switching from a pretty blue gravel to a mischievous black sand, and I am wondering what the best way to do this is.

Do I need to take my fish out? If so, what’s the best thing to put them in? Filter? Heater? Decorations?

What’s the best way to remove the gravel?

I have read so many different ways and opinions that I just want one set thing I’m going to do. Thanks!

 

Today I am switching from a pretty blue gravel to a mischievous black sand, and I am wondering what the best way to do this is.

Do I need to take my fish out? If so, what’s the best thing to put them in? Filter? Heater? Decorations?

What’s the best way to remove the gravel?

I have read so many different ways and opinions that I just want one set thing I’m going to do. Thanks!

Easiest way is in conjunction with water change. Put your fish in a bucket and then drain most of your water. Pull your plants and maybe your rocks. Then scoop the gravel and toss it and add sand. If you have a HOB then put some cloth on the intake or wait for it to settle then fire it up.

 

Be sure to thoroughly rinse the sand! I'm sure you know that, but a reminder is always nice

 

the less water in the tank when you add the sand the quicker the settle time. And what I do when refilling is take the plastic bag the sand came in or something and place it over the sand when refilling and direct the water onto that to limit stirring up the sand as much as possible.

 

the less water in the tank when you add the sand the quicker the settle time. And what I do when refilling is take the plastic bag the sand came in or something and place it over the sand when refilling and direct the water onto that to limit stirring up the sand as much as possible.

I use a cheap dollar store colander. Works great for breaking up the water when filling.

 

When I did mine, I moved plants, fish and frogs to a 5 gallon bucket with some of their tank water and put my sponge filter/media in another small bucket with their tank water, emptied the rest, took out the gravel and added the rinsed sand, then carefully filled it. I put a rock cave decoration back in to pour the water onto that so it didn't hit the sand. I poured water over my hand until the sand was submerged and then poured onto the rock cave the rest of the time. Filled about half way, put plants in, then filled the rest of the way. Made sure temp was good, water was conditioned, got filter going, then added the critters back in.

Yup the goal is to not disturb sand if you can help it when filling. Plastic bag, colander, a big rock, or even your hand will work. Between rinsing really well and being careful when filling, I did not have any issues with cloudiness or having to wait for it to settle.

I think you are going to love the sand, maybe do some before and after shots

 

What’s the best way to remove the gravel?

Depending on your tank size you could cut the bottom of a gallon or half gallon milk jug off. This gives you a nice scoop to get the old gravel out.

 

I actually switched from gravel to sand last year. I removed all decorations. Removed about 30% of the water and then used a big net to remove the gravel. I actually left my fish in the tank and kept my HOB filters running the whole time.

The day before the switch I washed my sand until it was as clean as was humanly possible. I have a yard cart that worked perfectly for washing sand. I put the whole 50lb bag in the cart. The front of it is sloped so it made it easy to pour the water off. I just kept adding water, stirring and pouring off the water until it ran crystal clear. this cart has never had any kind of chemicals in it so I felt safe using it for this job.

Once I had all the gravel out I ran my gravel vac to get as much of the detritus out that was in/under the gravel. Then I put the sand in, one large Dixie cup full at a time. I just lowered the cup to the bottom of the tank and then tipped it over. The sand instantly settled on the bottom. Once I had enough sand in there I replaced the deco and filled up the tank.

My fish are so used to me fooling with their tank I knew it would stress them more to net and move them than it would to just work around them. When I first got my long finned black skirt tetras they would lose their color when scared/stressed. They didn't lose any color during this whole process so they let me know that I could get the job done with them in the tank.

One thing to keep in mind. If you are using a HOB filter (or really any kind of filter that has an impeller) you will need to be sure the intake tube is at least 4 inches above the level of the sand to keep it from pulling the sand into your filter. The sand will damage the impeller in a short period of time.

 

For me, the easiest way is to leave the fish in.

Remove 50% of the water, use a scoop of some sort to get the current substrate out. If you have live plants, pull them all and put them in the bucket of water you removed.

Once all the old stuff is out slowly put the new stuff in using a scoop and putting it into a corner and slowly spreading it out with your hand. Once its all in put your plants or decorations back how you want them and fill the tank up with new water.

Super easy!

Just remember, you need to rinse the new substrate REALLY well so its not super cloudy, and it might be cloudy for a little while after the swap.

 

I have to see if I can find a video I watched a while back. The guy showed how to add sand using a plastic soda bottle which seemed to work well.

Of course I saw this AFTER I switched. When I set it up in my new tank, it wasn't necessary as there was no water in there

 

There are as many different ways of doing it as there are folks doing it. I say, the best way is the way that works best for the person doing it.

 

Today I am switching from a pretty blue gravel to a mischievous black sand, and I am wondering what the best way to do this is.

Do I need to take my fish out? If so, what’s the best thing to put them in? Filter? Heater? Decorations?

What’s the best way to remove the gravel?

I have read so many different ways and opinions that I just want one set thing I’m going to do. Thanks!

Thank you all so much! The LFS didn’t have enough black sand on hand like I wanted, but they did have just enough black and blue for my ADF tank and I’m IN LOVE

 

looks great! ADFs are pretty fun to watch, hopefully some of yours will sing to you. Enjoy! You have plenty of room for a few of them too.

 

looks great! ADFs are pretty fun to watch, hopefully some of yours will sing to you. Enjoy! You have plenty of room for a few of them too.

Thank you!!!! I’m so excited. I only got two for now to see how they do-I might add Cory’s but I have not decided yet!

 

When I first moved to aquarium sand rather than gravel I ended up with gases, wished I'd researched first, I still use it but not half as much

 

When I first moved to aquarium sand rather than gravel I ended up with gases, wished I'd researched first, I still use it but not half as much

That happens if you have too deep a sand bed or if the sand doesn't get stirred up. An anerobic process happens and releases toxins.

 

That happens if you have too deep a sand bed or if the sand doesn't get stirred up. An anerobic process happens and releases toxins.

Yes exactly what I realized but forgotten what it was caused, I just use around a 1cm depth now to avoid this and not had problems since although have to use larger river stones to hold plants in place along with weights

 

Thank you all so much! The LFS didn’t have enough black sand on hand like I wanted, but they did have just enough black and blue for my ADF tank and I’m IN LOVE View attachment 457510

I don't see any tall plants in there so there is a chance you might have added some already. But if not, I would suggest a couple. ADFs may be full water frogs, but they do need to be able to get to the top for air. Having tall plants allow them to use them basically as ladders.

 

I don't see any tall plants in there so there is a chance you might have added some already. But if not, I would suggest a couple. ADFs may be full water frogs, but they do need to be able to get to the top for air. Having tall plants allow them to use them basically as ladders.

Thank you! They actually swim to the top all the time and it’s so fun watching them do so. I plan on getting some taller plants, but my LFS only had the sword plants when I was there

 

I highly recommend adding some cories. They are quirky fish and will be a great addition to the tank. ADF are a blast to observe.

My two are quite happy with a handful of cories and a male Betta