changing substrate... tips tricks or insight

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

im looking to change out my substrate in my 125g from those pea gravel rocks to sand. i have a few fish that i think would be happier with sand and ive been a little apprehensive about doing it because of NH4/ NH3, NO3 and NO2 spikes. im looking for suggestions on how to minimize this and i dont want to shock or even kill perfectly good healthy fish. if i get good suggestions i'll hold a fry give away of L. Fuelleborni. LOL i gots lots.

[Regalblue]

I'd take all the decor out gravel vac the crap out of the peagravel,  pulling out 50% of the water in the process, get a dust pan,  scoop out the pea gravel,  rinse the sand, pour the sand into the tank,  put the decor back in,   sit back & enjoy.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I just did almost exactly what Blair just described and it worked great...

Good luck !   

[Kaia]

I just replaced gravel with PFS yesterday lol

[LoveTheFishies]

im looking to change out my substrate in my 125g from those pea gravel rocks to sand. i have a few fish that i think would be happier with sand and ive been a little apprehensive about doing it because of NH4/ NH3, NO3 and NO2 spikes. im looking for suggestions on how to minimize this and i dont want to shock or even kill perfectly good healthy fish. if i get good suggestions i'll hold a fry give away of L. Fuelleborni. LOL i gots lots.

What are you going to due with the substrate you are removing?  If you are interested in selling, send me a pic of your current substrate.  I like the look of pea rock better than sand.  Putting up a 195 that is 72x24 so need to fill it up.

[css merrimac]

I just replaced gravel with PFS yesterday lol

** I have used P-F-S before also...works fine! ** 

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

Here's a cell pic of the gravel. I'll be pulling it sometime this week. If you want it pm  me.

[Kaia]

I just replaced gravel with PFS yesterday lol

** I have used P-F-S before also...works fine! ** 

I was a little hesitant because I had read something about the silica in the PFS being bad... But apparently a lot of people use it even Blair. And if Blair does it, it must be an ok thing to do lmao! This stuff I've got is white though not that ugly brown stuff. When you have to fill a 220 gallon tank, who can afford Cichlid sand! Ya know? Might mix a bag or two in eventually.

[Ron]

I've done this a few times:

• Turn off filters and heater.
• Fill a few 5 gallon buckets with tank water - move fish to buckets and cover each with a towel to keep fish from jumping out.
• Empty the tank (save some more tank water in 5 gallon buckets if you have sensitive fish or it's just your thing.
• Scoop out gravel
• Clean any gunk left behind in the tank.
• Rinse PSF before putting any in the tank
• Rinse the sand again
• Rinse again - water should run clear when rinsing it or you'll complain about how the sand made your tank cloudy (when really its your fault for not rinsing it properly)
• Add sand to tank
• Place decor
• Fill tank with appropriate temperature water (direct water into the tank onto a large rock or temporarily use a dinner plate; this helps to keep the sand from being stirred up excessively)
• Plug everything back in and return the fish

I was a little hesitant because I had read something about the silica in the PFS being bad...

The only thing I can think of is that it may encourage brown algae.

[linuxrulesusa]

I was a little hesitant because I had read something about the silica in the PFS being bad...

The only thing I can think of is that it may encourage brown algae.

At least for me, the PFS I use from Leslie's Pool Supply (supposedly Home Depot #20 grit sand is the same stuff...I forget the exact name) doesn't seem to encourage brown algae too much.  Especially if I 1) don't run the lights too long and 2) have a pleco somewhere in the tank, it stays pretty well under control.  I'm talking a single BN in a 55g.  I have zero algae issues in my 20 highs on the three tier stand.  Occasionally I get a bit in my 20 long but the otos have taken care of it.  For reference, I would get the same amount of brown algae growing in my bare bottom 10g fry tanks in the laundry room.

The only exception is that oddly enough I seem to get black/hair algae in my small brackish Fig 8 puffer tank (also using the PFS), but I'm thinking that's not due to the sand but other factors.  My workaround so far is just to wash the décor off once a month or so.  At some point I need to figure out the cause.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I'm cleanng my sand right now and I just want to know if I'm doing this right, wrong, or bass backwards. I put the sand into 5 gal buckets. Then I put the hose to the bottom of the bucket and turned it on. I'm looking for the overflow water to be clear, then I'll move the hose to another spot in the bucket. Am I close? About how long does this process take?

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Per a suggestion on the MCA - I cleaned my sand out in an old pillow case.  Will NEVER use buckets again !

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I'm cleanng my sand right now and I just want to know if I'm doing this right, wrong, or bass backwards. I put the sand into 5 gal buckets. Then I put the hose to the bottom of the bucket and turned it on. I'm looking for the overflow water to be clear, then I'll move the hose to another spot in the bucket. Am I close? About how long does this process take?

Longer than you think !   

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

The pillow case works great huh? I'll have to give that a shot... next time. I'm already committed to buckets this time around.

[Regalblue]

Stick your hand in the sand & give it a stir every once & awhile.... it'll go faster