How do I switch to sand?

[smmfish]

I got 3 - 5 gallon buckets of sand free with my 125 gallon tank, but didn't use it for that tank. I was thinking of changing my 2 55 gallon community setups to sand bottoms. They are gravel now. How do I go about getting the sand into the tank without disturbing the fish too much. Do I need to take them out? If so, for how long? Just until the sand settles or what?

 

[messiner]

heres whay i did. i gravel vaced my tank to about 50 to get all the crap trapped in the gravel out and removed all the ornaments and shut off the filters. them i used a square net to scoop all the gravel out. if theirs any snall pieces remaining get them in a corner and use a hose to siphon them out. then slowly add the wrinsed sand. refil. let sand settle and your set.

 

[smmfish]

Yeah, the sand is rinsed, it was actually in the 125 gallon before I bought it. I will change it out tonight. I really like the look of sand and I have alot of it, so why not use it!!!
Thanks for the info.

 

[mostlycichlids]

you will definately want to remove the fish though.

 

[messiner]

you will definately want to remove the fish though.

why? explain

 

[bill hundt]

you will definately want to remove the fish though.

I was wondering if the sand is wet and has been in the bucket for over a few hours would it be toxic , and would rinsing it remove those toxins? Also how do you gravel vac sand without sucking it out the hose? smmfish sorry to ride on your question with my own.

 

[pophead]

I would think it would be a lot less stress for the fish to be moved twice(out and then in again) than to have their tank completely rearanged with them in it.
also less risk of trapping a fish.

 

[smmfish]

Ok, the rinsed sand has been in the buckets for a couple of months. Do I need to rinse the sand again? And I need to know for sure if I need to take the fish out or not. They are angels, barbs, gourami, a clawed frog and pictus catfish?
I am planning on getting this done tonight so any more info would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!

 

[fishingaddict]

ive went from sand to gravel.. and all i did was turn off the filters and scoop out the sand then scoop the gravel into the tank.. left the fish in there and theyre still good.

 

[smmfish]

Alright, I will just leave the fish in there, as long as I do it carefully everything should be fine. I have gravel in all my tanks but thought this one would look better in sand.
I really wanted sand in my O's tank but am afraid they would stir it up too much and clog my filter system.