I want to switch from gravel to sand

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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nmadsen4

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 16, 2008
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phoenix
I'm really wanting to switch from gravel to sand and I'm currently running an fx5.

I have absolutely no experience with sand, should I turn off the FX5 while I add the sand? If so, about how long does it take to settle before I can turn it back on?

Thanks for help.
 
^^^ Yep exactly what nikond stated.

Just make sure u wash the sand really well before adding it.

And also make sure to wait for it to completely settle before turning the FX5 back on.
 
what do you mean by clean or wash it? do i just put it in a big bucket and fill it up with water or what? i am seriously noobatron with sand.
 
You take a bucket, fill up 1/3 to 1/2 of sand, put water in the bucket and swish the sand around with your hands. Dump the water out of the bucket and repeat 3 more times or until the water is clear. Afterwards, dump the sand into the tank and then grab another 1/3-1/2 bucketfull full of sand and repeat. It took me about 4 hours to clean 300 lbs of sand. It was an afternoon project.
 
Can the Cichlids still scape the terrain with sand like they do with gravel? I was only going to replace a 1/4 of the gravel with sand at each water change.
 
oh FML! that sounds like the worst experience of my life. dont they sell clean sand? lol... if not i might need to open up Clean Sand LLC and start doing that. this is going to be painful.
 
Not to bad i did it in a 10 gallon tank lol and i could fill it up with sand and swish it around. The most important thing is cleaning the sand really well otherwise you will have a cloudy tank and it wont look to good. The better end with the 10 gallon is you can tell when the water is really clean, Also you can put more in the tank and clean it at one time. Your best bet is to do it outside in the sun and when your done cleaning the sand let it sit in the sun so it warms up the sand. I read that its better to let the sand sit in a warm area so that it can be warm as your adding it to the tank or use hot water either way you will like it. Good luck
 
nmadsen4;4838372;4838372 said:
oh FML! that sounds like the worst experience of my life. dont they sell clean sand? lol... if not i might need to open up Clean Sand LLC and start doing that. this is going to be painful.
Click to expand...
Easy method: put 50 lbs od sand in bucket. Put hose in bucket. Run hose on high moving it around the bucket. Allow the bucket to overflow. You will lose less than 1 lb of sand. When the water is running clear from the bucket you are done. Let the sand settle for a minute or two and drain best you can. Add to tank. Takes ten minutes and makes a puddle in your yard.
 
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