Advice Needed

[KimeeBee]

OK...so I have a 40 breeder, which I had set up a couple of years ago for Cichlids. I ended up moving for my job and had to sell the fish, but I kept the tank and all of my equipment. I'm ready to set the tank back up, but I found that the gravel in the tank has "hardened" and I can't seem to get it out. I'm afraid that if I use too much force I will end up breaking or cracking the glass in the tank.

1) Any ideas about what has caused this to happen and how I can correct it ?

2) Would it be OK to use "sand" instead of gravel this time for Cichlids ?

Thanks ahead of time for all advice and/or suggestions !

 

[Rivercats]

Add some water to the tank just enough to cover the gravel and leave it sit for a day or however many. It should loosen the rock back up.

I believe sand would be fine for cichlids.

 

[PockX]

Add some warmer water and let it sit like he said. And yup, sand is perfectly fine..just make sure to wash it good first!