Question about switching substrate

[Pythia]

I have rocks for substrate in my tank right now but I also have a cory so it isn't good. I've been thinking of switching it to sand for good but I have a question:

it takes a while for the sand to settle down so I was wondering if the fish will breath the sand in before it settles down?

 

[richiep]

If you give the sand a good wash first you'll have very little disturbance, ive swapped out quite a few tanks this way, I put a few pound in a 16ltr bucket then put a hose in and give it a good blast leave it flow over the top of the bucket and also tilt it to pour off the worst , you will loose a little sand but thats the way it goes,then empty yhd bucket of water, I then take a 500ml plastic measuring jug scoop the sand in then gently lower into the tank,once at the bottom I tip it out cresting a little cloud each disappears quickly, what cloud there is won't harm the fish

 

[Pythia]

If you give the sand a good wash first you'll have very little disturbance, ive swapped out quite a few tanks this way, I put a few pound in a 16ltr bucket then put a hose in and give it a good blast leave it flow over the top of the bucket and also tilt it to pour off the worst , you will loose a little sand but thats the way it goes,then empty yhd bucket of water, I then take a 500ml plastic measuring jug scoop the sand in then gently lower into the tank,once at the bottom I tip it out cresting a little cloud each disappears quickly, what cloud there is won't harm the fish

Oh, okay, I see, thank you!

 

[e_watson09]

Not sure what size tank you're doing this with but in addition to rinsing first you can also put it in a smaller container (I use tupperware) when you go to add it to the tank, I hold the sand in the container until I get close to the bottom and then slowly pour it while in the water. That way if you are using a really fine sand it won't go absolutely everywhere

 

[BluMan1914]

Go with black sand, it will bring out the color of your fish, as well as a dark background.

 

[AmigoSpageeto]

Sand will settle pretty quickly as long as you rinse it thoroughly and don't go crazy when adding it in.

 

[Pythia]

Okay! I guess I'll just find a time to buy sand at the lfs or just order it online. Actually, I'm gonna order it online because I'm too lazy to drag the sand back home.

 

[BluMan1914]

Black Diamond Blasting Sand, at Tractor Supply Company is only 9 bones for 50lbs.

 

[faydout]

it will bring out the color of your fish

Depending on the fish. Some fish will change color to blend in with their surroundings (my Keyhole cichlids do this), in which case black sand is not good because it mutes their colors.

 

[flyinGourami]

If you rinse it good and pour it "close" to the floor of the tank, it should be fine. After I put sand in though, my tank was a bit hazy but it did go away.

PS. Not 100% if this is true but corydoras catfish actually do best on a moderate sand tone, not white or black.