Re-scaping my 5 gallon aquarium

Hey there! I've been kind of inactive on fishlore lately, I plan to get back here. I was wondering about re-scaping my 5-gallon aquarium, My tank is already cycled, so I don't want to hurt it by doing this process, that's why I need you guys to help me.

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My plan is to gravel vacuum the entire tank, about 50% or more. I want to replace the substrate to sand, is there a way I can do that? I want to get rid of my drifwood, My driftwood has an unusual shape, it has 3 sides, very pointy, and mostly takes much room. I'll be ordering new plants, (artificial) then planting the finished project.

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I need advice mostly about changing substrates from gravel, to sand. Please & Thank you, I appreciate all the advice given..


(INCALLING AllieSten FOR HELPING WITH OTHER AQUARIUMS OF MINE)

 

What fish do you have, changing lots of things in the tank can really stress your fish out

 

I have 1 Male Betta, I would remove my betta from the tank, and change it around, I am aware it would stress him out, but I'll try to be the careful as I can to not.

 

If you do plan to switch substrate, you should get yourself a mesh strainer that is stainless steal.

You will not be able to get all of the gravel out of the bottom of the tank, so after you add sand there will be gravel bits that will surface every now and then. You can use the strainer to sift away the gravel from the sand.

Something like this:
Also make sure its small enough to fit inside of your tank.

Also be sure to rinse your sand, even if it says not to, just do it.

 

I'm fine with that, but I'll be ok switching substrate? I will look into that strainer.

 

are there fish in the tank?

 

I'm fine with that, but I'll be ok switching substrate? I will look into that strainer.

I have heard of people experiencing spikes in ph right after changing substrate. I however, have not experienced it ( I have changed substrate from gravel to sand in 2 tanks) and I never had a problem.

I believe that the spike (its rather small from what I have read) will not effect your betta, as that is a more hardy fish than others. It would really only effect more sensitive fish.

Switching from gravel to sand is a great idea in my opinion, its much easier to keep clean, (all the debris stays a the surface of the sand). I find that my fish enjoy it allot more as well. (Plus if you switch to real plants sand is much easier to plant plants in then gravel is)

Also research your sand before you purchase, You want one that is heavier so it does not mess up your filter. (Learn from my mistake)

 

are there fish in the tank?

I have 1 male betta I said,

I have heard of people experiencing spikes in ph right after changing substrate. I however, have not experienced it ( I have changed substrate from to sand in 2 tanks) and I never had a problem.

I believe that the spike (its rather small from what I have read) will not effect your betta, as that is a more hardy fish than others. It would really only effect more sensitive fish.

Switching from to sand is a great idea in my opinion, its much easier to keep clean, (all the debris stays a the surface of the sand). I find that my fish enjoy it allot more as well. (Plus if you switch to real plants sand is much easier to plant plants in then gravel is)

Also research your sand before you purchase, You want one that is heavier so it does not mess up your filter. (Learn from my mistake)

I have some kind of sponge filter, it has a shower type of flow, and intake on bottom. (NOT POWERFUL) I am researching everything before bought.

 

I have some kind of sponge filter, it has a shower type of flow, and intake on bottom. (NOT POWERFUL) I am researching everything before bought.

Great! The sponge filter would do just fine with a sand substrate! As long as you keep the sponge in aquarium water while you are working on the rescape, you bacteria will do just fine.

 

Great, and what type of sand do you use? the brand & all.

 

Do you have live plants? Then I recommend Flourite Black Sand. It has a really pretty natural dark color and has a lot of nutrients that will benefit them.

 

I have had great results using CaribSea sands. Its a better price if you buy it online versus in a pet store. Also it comes in multipul natural colors.

The sand is heavier, so it does not get sucked up by filter intake (but you have a sponge filter so that will be no problem), it actually helps keep your PH balanced and does not cause it to swing up and down.

Its also not too pricy being only a $1 per pound (Not to mention free shiping on amazon prime)

The only problem is I think it only comes in large bags. They may make smaller bags but its hard to tell. The best rule of thumb is 1pound of sand for each gallon of tank. (I think you would probably only need 10 pounds of sand)

 

Do you have live plants? Then I recommend . It has a really pretty natural dark color and has a lot of nutrients that will benefit them.

I have 1 live plant attached to my drifwood, and a few bamboo.

I have had great results using CaribSea sands. Its a better price if you buy it online versus in a pet store. Also it comes in multipul natural colors.

The sand is heavier, so it does not get sucked up by filter intake (but you have a sponge filter so that will be no problem), it actually helps keep your PH balanced and does not cause it to swing up and down.

Its also not too pricy being only a $1 per pound (Not to mention free shiping on amazon prime)

The only problem is I think it only comes in large bags. They may make smaller bags but its hard to tell. The best rule of thumb is 1pound of sand for each gallon of tank. (I think you would probably only need 10 pounds of sand)

Ouch, I need about 5-pound sand bags. Yes I agree 10 pounds of sand would be great.

If I use Flourite Black Sand, does it matter if I don't have living plants?

 

Ouch, I need about 5-pound sand bags. Yes I agree 10 pounds of sand would be great.

I have found some 5 pound bags online.

It also looks like you can purchase 10 pound bags from petco for a resonable price as well

 

Recently, Prism has already torn down his tank, and gotten it back up and running from cycling.
The tank was never cycled originally, so that's what took place.

Prism, now you are back to the ideas.
Hopefully this will go smoothly.

 

Great, and ok. But 1 thing I was mostly looking foward to black sand.