Changing gravel to sand

[rmorse]

Couple questions.


Numero Uno: What sand, and how much? Hopefully I can pick some up at Home Depot or Lowes for cheap. It is for a 55 gallon. Any links would be AMAZING.


Numero Dos: Will das fishies be ok? I have a breeding pair of Jack Dempseys, 5 Giant danios, and 2 Bristlenosed Plecos. Will they be ok in sand?

Numero Tres: Will I be fine gravel vacuuming sand? Or is it a PITA?

Numero Quatro: Um, there is no number 4....

Thanks for the help!

 

[Angler]

You can get playsand cheap from Home Depot. It looks pretty good, but I do not recommend it. It is so light in weight, and it easily gets kicked up in the water. You can probably kiss your powerfilter goodbye with playsand.

Here is a picture of my old Mbuna tank with playsand:

I just put S grade 3m Colorquartz in my tank, and I highly recommend it. It is much heavier than playsand, and it looks very uniform because the grains are all round and the same size. That being said, I hear many people say that they cannot find it where they live. I got mine at a landscape supply company.

If you cannot find Colorquartz, you should be able to find some kind of pool filter sand. Many people recommend this.

All your fish will be fine with the sand. I think a breeding pair would probably prefer it.

I use the gravel vacuum on my sand, but I just hover it like a half inch over the sand, and it gets the poop that is sitting on top.

 

[rmorse]

Hey, you're alright Angler, I don't care what they say about you!


Ok, so if I can't find the Colorquartz, go poolfilter sand...Think HD will carry that?

 

[Angler]

No prob

No, Home Depot does not carry it. Try landscape supply or pool supply.

 

[rmorse]

Awesome...Any recommendation on the poundage for a 55? Gorgeous tank, btw

 

[Angler]

A 50 pound bag will be fine. I used 100 pounds in my 125, but I don't like sand in tanks very deep. Here is a pic of my 125 with 100 pounds:

 

[rmorse]

Ooo, I like that...I am thinking about sand, with some large rocks and some driftwood mixed in =)

I can't wait. I may do Undersand Jets as well, since I am a bit concerned with junk getting into the sand