Changing subtrate??

[dudey]

I want to change the substrate in my 125g from large gravel to sand.

Couple questions

Should I use play sand or pool filter sand?? Whats the benefit of one over the other.

The other question is how should I go about doing the change. I have 9 red belly piranhas in there that I could move to another tank for a day or two but beyond that casualties are more likely.

Should I move them, take out 50% water, put the sand in, add water, and let it settle?? Or how should I go about doing it.

Any help appreciated.

 

[CHOMPERS]

should I use play sand or pool filter sand?? Whats the benefit of one over the other.

Pool sand since it is larger. If you get lucky it will already be cleaned. Some people have used play sand and loved it but others have complained that the grain size was too small. It probably depends on where it was mined.

Either way, make sure you rinse it completely until the water runs clear. Most people quit half way through and put up with the cloudiness until it settles. If you do it right the first time, you won't have issues with it clouding up again later.

The other question is how should I go about doing the change. I have 9 red belly piranhas in there that I could move to another tank ...

Move them just for the convenience. Then you can just scoop the gravel out. To get the last of it, I prefer to use a hose and syphon it out. You can also drain the water out and use a shop vac.

 

[FSM]

Pool filter sand is a lot cleaner. I didn't rinse mine much at all. When I changed from PFS to black sand, I just scooped all the old sand out first, then cleaned the new sand and added it with a large cup. The fish seemed fine.