gravel question - Aquarium Advice

cougargirl50 · 03-23-2006, 12:02 PM

Hi. Have 2 questions.
I got a catalog yesterday for our LFS. As I was paging through it I found a new gravel that I would like to have.
Its called Torpedo Beach Sand. It says its recommended for freshwater aquariums with external filtration. I can get 50lbs for $21.99. Now here is one of my questions.
Is using sand for gravel good. I read somewhere that sand will up the PH a little.
And here is the other question. I have a 55 gallon FW. How can I change the gravel. I have no other tank set up and I don't want to lose any of my fish that I already have.
I have a 10 & a 20 gallon tank but there is nothing in them, I was actually going to get rid of them at yard sale.

Can I take one of the empty aquariums that I have if I take some of the water out of the 55 and put it in either the 10 or 20 and use the filters that I have on the 55 for filtration right now, or will that kill my bacteria that I need to keep it cycled?

**Fishyfanatic** · 03-23-2006, 12:36 PM

Sand is perfectly fine as a substrate. I only use sand. It will not increase the pH as long as you do not use a sand such as argonite or one that uses limestone. Pool filter sand and the like will not increase the level.

To change out the substrate: Put the fish in containers (rubbermaid or other tanks) with old tank water. Run the filter and heater in the containers. Scoop out the existing substrate. Then do a pretty large water change (you will probably have alot of debris that gets kicked up). Add the cleaned sand to the tank and refill with water. Add plants/decor/filter/heater/airstones. Wait about a half hour for the sand to settle and reacclimate the fish.

chabooky386 · 03-23-2006, 04:49 PM

sand gravel samething really to tell you the truth there isnt a raise in pH or anything

ringfinger · 03-23-2006, 04:58 PM

Keep the filter running water with a heater in the 20g and you shouldn't lose your bacteria. Fish in the 20 or other containers.

nitrous · 03-23-2006, 05:02 PM

50 lbs for 22 dollars is a ripoff. check out a local pool store or a hardware store, my 50 lb bag was only 5 bucks

tropicfishman · 03-23-2006, 05:09 PM

thatpetplace.com has a clearence right now on all there gravel and sand, 25- 50 lbs depending on what ya get for 6.29

**Fishyfanatic** · 03-23-2006, 05:35 PM

PFS is cheaper by far, but if you are looking for that specific type of sand, it's not bad. Our lfs charges $1 per lb of Estes.

03-23-2006, 12:02 PM	#1
cougargirl50 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dover, PA Posts: 51	gravel question Hi. Have 2 questions. I got a catalog yesterday for our LFS. As I was paging through it I found a new gravel that I would like to have. Its called Torpedo Beach Sand. It says its recommended for freshwater aquariums with external filtration. I can get 50lbs for $21.99. Now here is one of my questions. Is using sand for gravel good. I read somewhere that sand will up the PH a little. And here is the other question. I have a 55 gallon FW. How can I change the gravel. I have no other tank set up and I don't want to lose any of my fish that I already have. I have a 10 & a 20 gallon tank but there is nothing in them, I was actually going to get rid of them at yard sale. Can I take one of the empty aquariums that I have if I take some of the water out of the 55 and put it in either the 10 or 20 and use the filters that I have on the 55 for filtration right now, or will that kill my bacteria that I need to keep it cycled? __________________ 55 gallon 3 blue long finned danios 3 neons 9 different platy 1 dalmatian mollie 5 corys 2 yoyo loaches (ALL MY PLATY ARE FEMALE) http://www.geocities.com/cougargirl5...?1143336351708

03-23-2006, 12:36 PM	#2
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	Sand is perfectly fine as a substrate. I only use sand. It will not increase the pH as long as you do not use a sand such as argonite or one that uses limestone. Pool filter sand and the like will not increase the level. To change out the substrate: Put the fish in containers (rubbermaid or other tanks) with old tank water. Run the filter and heater in the containers. Scoop out the existing substrate. Then do a pretty large water change (you will probably have alot of debris that gets kicked up). Add the cleaned sand to the tank and refill with water. Add plants/decor/filter/heater/airstones. Wait about a half hour for the sand to settle and reacclimate the fish. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

03-23-2006, 05:02 PM	#5
nitrous Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago ridge, illinois Posts: 801 Images: 6	50 lbs for 22 dollars is a ripoff. check out a local pool store or a hardware store, my 50 lb bag was only 5 bucks __________________ 20 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]-plants and 2 red zebra chiclids 15 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]- shark tank 36 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]-3 yellow labs 3 red zebra 1 jewel/plants

03-23-2006, 05:09 PM	#6
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	thatpetplace.com has a clearence right now on all there gravel and sand, 25- 50 lbs depending on what ya get for 6.29 __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

03-23-2006, 05:35 PM	#7
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	PFS is cheaper by far, but if you are looking for that specific type of sand, it's not bad. Our lfs charges $1 per lb of Estes. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

03-23-2006, 04:49 PM	#3
chabooky386 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 115	sand gravel samething really to tell you the truth there isnt a raise in pH or anything

03-23-2006, 04:58 PM	#4
ringfinger Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cedar City, UT Posts: 412 Images: 4	Keep the filter running water with a heater in the 20g and you shouldn't lose your bacteria. Fish in the 20 or other containers.

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