Change Sub or Water Change?

[Oceangirl]

Silly question.
I am planning on changing my sand from petco brand Blue sand to
Super Naturals Black sand.
Does changing the Substrate count as a water change?

My plan:
Take out all the bottom dwellers and fry
Drain half the water or water it takes to suck up all the old sand
Then replace with Super naturals black, new sand

Usually it takes about half the tank to get all the sand out, and I would not be deep cleaning my filter.


SOO DOING THIS TOMORROW!
"How to clean new aquariumsand the easy way" by endymion250

google this video, I am going to use gallon jugs!!

 

[Zimmanski]

I did the exact same thing, except my percolate sand was white haha. Don't try sucking the sand up, it will work for a sec then just clog your vac. Drain half the water then use a cup or something similar to scoop out the sand then when you have the most sand you can get out with a cup then suck it out with a gravel vac. That should leave you with around 20% or so water left in your tank. Put the new sand in and add the "magnetic clarifier" and wait a short bit for the water to be less cloudy then refill with dechlorinated water. It's not that bad, have fun with it!