pool filter sand here, was dirty as hell but a good cleaning and only took about an hour to clear completely
Sand ?
- Thread starter master.k.
- Start date
I used pool filter sand. I rinsed it out in a bucket once and added it to my tank before I put fish in. There was almost no cloudiness. Play sand will create a nice little dust storm in your tank, so I wouldn't use it. Having a thick layer of sand isn't good. You only need about 3/4 of an inch. 50 pounds was actually a little more than I needed in my 75. 75-100 pounds would be fine for a 125.
I bought 150lbs of 3M Color Quartz for my 120G (72"x19" footprint) and it was way too much. I would estimate about 100lbs for a nice 1" layer throughout. If you would like to put the sand in with the fish in the tank, I highly suggest the 3M Color Quartz. I didn't have any cloudy problems after I rinsed it off and filled up the tank. A lot of people on cichlid forum have replaced their gravel with the 3M Color Quartz while the fishes are still in the tank. 
gunnerx;1776020; said:I bought 150lbs of 3M Color Quartz for my 120G (72"x19" footprint) and it was way too much. I would estimate about 100lbs for a nice 1" layer throughout. If you would like to put the sand in with the fish in the tank, I highly suggest the 3M Color Quartz. I didn't have any cloudy problems after I rinsed it off and filled up the tank. A lot of people on cichlid forum have replaced their gravel with the 3M Color Quartz while the fishes are still in the tank.
I am currently buying sand for my new tank and I an going to put 120lbs. in my 125gal. I bought the estes marine black sand (about a dollar a pound)
I wanted to get the 3M but NO WHERE near me sold it or knew where to get it unless I wanted to drive 3 hours one way or have it shipped and I didn't even want to know what 120lbs shipped would cost.
POOL FILTER SAND.......it's really, REALLY easy to clean....and cheap.....bought 8 bags for a 300....i have 5 bags left.....time to buy more tanks.
I have done the switch from gravel to sand like your planning on doing. My advise to you is just be prepared to take your time, do it well, and there will be no problems at all. I did it in a tank that was fully set up with fish already in like yourself. Before you add any sand to the tank, make sure you wash it. Its fairly simple, put it in a container (the king of plastic bowels you get in sinks is ideal, just make sure it hasnt been used with a cleaning agent in there for the dishes!) and then let the water run straight into the bowl.
Using this method is fine, but you need to get your hands wet (as with all fish related topics.) put your hands into the sand, under the water, and slowly move your hands around... the small particles will get moved into the current, and washed over the sides of the bowl, while the heavier grains of sand stay in the bottom. It will prevent cloudyness in the tank while making the switch. Just make sure you spend enough time on each batch of sand until no excess is being washed over the side, and add it slowly into the tank to avoid mess.
Finally, the way i did it was to take out half the gravel, and add sand to fill half of the bottom of the tank. Leave that for 10 days, then take out the rest of the gravel and move the sand already in there across the whole of the bottom of the tank, before putting the new clean sand to go in over the top. Figured this would help with good bacteria, although in reality im not sure it did, but better safe than sorry.
Hope this little essay helps you with the change over! good luck!
Using this method is fine, but you need to get your hands wet (as with all fish related topics.) put your hands into the sand, under the water, and slowly move your hands around... the small particles will get moved into the current, and washed over the sides of the bowl, while the heavier grains of sand stay in the bottom. It will prevent cloudyness in the tank while making the switch. Just make sure you spend enough time on each batch of sand until no excess is being washed over the side, and add it slowly into the tank to avoid mess.
Finally, the way i did it was to take out half the gravel, and add sand to fill half of the bottom of the tank. Leave that for 10 days, then take out the rest of the gravel and move the sand already in there across the whole of the bottom of the tank, before putting the new clean sand to go in over the top. Figured this would help with good bacteria, although in reality im not sure it did, but better safe than sorry.
Hope this little essay helps you with the change over! good luck!
master.k.;1774654; said:Has anyone added sand with fish in the tank ?
Or will I be the first
I just did it. I would strongly recommend pool filter sand. It's much easier to clean than play sand, and it's more aesthetically pleasing.
Here's the thread I just did on it:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141851
Yea, Ive seen people post that they added sand to their tanks with the fish still in it. Seems the consensus is: be sure to wash it well first, add it slowly to avoid a total mess, and it may be wise to take the gravel out slowly over time (maybe a week or so) in order to avoid any ammonia spikes b/c the gravel houses some of your BB. If you take it out slowly, your filters can compensate as you remove it over a few days, but if not, you may have an ammonia spike (some other guy posted that he lost a bunch of dats like this).
gonnelro;1776795; said:
I took out all of mine at once. I had a slight NH3 spike, but nothing to got worried about. I put my new rays in the next day. You really have to consider that there is a relatively small amount of BB in the substrate itself. As long as you have quality filtration with lots of bio-media, you'll be fine. Add some Seachem Stability and you're good to go.
Lots of good info . 
I have 3 Penguin Bio-Wheel 350's HOF with 3 larger powerheads .
Each HOF holds 4 cartridges
I think im using pool sand Ill get some befoer and after Pics
I have 3 Penguin Bio-Wheel 350's HOF with 3 larger powerheads .
Each HOF holds 4 cartridges
I think im using pool sand Ill get some befoer and after Pics
