QUESTION: Is it safe to add sand and/or gravel with fish inside?

[ctoychik]

Dear Pros,

I have read the stickies on the set-up and filtration and this point is not covered. I am considering changing the bare bottom look to gravel/sand.

My question: is it safe to do so with all inhabitants inside (semi-grown ancient fish). Does it affect the chemistry of the tank. What is safe to add. Is there any benefits to it? I am not doing a UGF just for aesthetic reasons i am considering this (my father is really unhappy about my bare bottom tanks).

Your input is much appreciated.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

Id turn off the filters and remove the fish add the new gravel then return the fish it shouldnt take that long

 

[ECarbonel]

if do sand u need to wait till the sand settles or u will kill ur filter takes about 24 hrs to settle. and take the fish out cause that won't help the sand settle with the fish swimming around

 

[ctoychik]

Thanks guys. OK forget about sand then. Just gravel? Still need to take the fish out? Errr in my case it is not really a desirable option: ancients would not appreciate being moved about. The only time i move them out is when changing their homes.

This is why i ask: is it safe to add gravel (ok, no sand) while the inhabitants are inside... from chemistry point of view? disrupting the nitrogen cycle or what not?

 

[keepinfish]

I have added sand with fish still in the tank with no problems. Just shut off your filters for a couple of hours.

 

[prskiller]

You could double up ladies panty hose and rubber band them around your filter intake if you choose to do sand.

 

[Pharaoh]

Turn filters off, dump in pool filter sand. Its that simple.

 

[ctoychik]

Anyone else done this before? Bump

 

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

If you do gravel make sure its rinsed extremely well. I was changing the gravel in my native tank from black and white to just brown. While doing that I took out the fish, then took out the b&w gravel, rinsed off the brown gravel, put it in, then added the fish. Well I didn't rinse it off well enough and it turned the water brown from the dust in the gravel then all my fish died. I believe the small gravel particals damaged thier gills.

 

[zennzzo]

Gravel shouldn't change the Parameters...just make sure it is absolutly clean and add it little by little till the desired look is obtained...