Want to switch sand, advice would help

[ninjataco777]

ok, so i basically have mediumish fine sand mixed with crushed shells. my tank is abt a month and a half old. can i just take the sand out and put fine sand in?

[XBwlr]

Yes.
I'd go half, then add the other half in a few weeks.

Get a large diameter hose and siphon out half of what you don't want.
Put the sand you do want in a plastic bag, might take filling the bag several times, SLOWLY lower it into the water, once it's on the bottom, SLOWLY dump the sand where you want. Do not close the bag... leave it open so the air will escape. Otherwise you'll get a bubble in the bag and have sand all over the place. BTDT.

[aquaman3680]

Essentially that is what you do. If you can get a gravel vac or something along those lines you can suck up the old sand and just pour new sand in without messing around with the rock structure. Or the other way would be take everything out and then, take out the sand, add your rocks back then add the new sand.

Matt

[ninjataco777]

i am not taking the sand out from under the rocks, idk how much sand im going to be tanking out, but if its not alot can i just do it all at once?

[framerguy]

I did mine that way, but I did it slowly. I would scoop some sand out in a clean cat pan scoop so the big stuff was taken out but left the little. Then with a cup, I would put new sand in as gently as I could. I replaced about a quart containter of sand every other day till I got it how I wanted it.

[ninjataco777]

?

[CarmieJo]

To put the sand back in you can use a funnel taped into a piece of 3/8 - 1/2" rigid tubing. Aim the tube and pour the sand into the funnel and it will end up on the bottom right where you want it.

[ninjataco777]

i just want to know how i can replace the sand without a cycle

[althea2you]

Originally Posted by ninjataco777

i just want to know how i can replace the sand without a cycle

thats kinda what they are telling you... take some out put some new in, give about a week and take out more old and then add more new.. do it slowly so your tank has the chance to accommodate the difference...they are also explaining how to do it without causing a sandstorm

[ninjataco777]

waht would it do if i did it all at once

[Dentoid]

There is a good chance there will be another cycle, albeit a small one. If you are prepared for this, (ie diligent testing for ammonia, WC's etc) I think you can get through it in your nano. Be prepared to possibly lose a fish or two.

[althea2you]

Originally Posted by ninjataco777

waht would it do if i did it all at once

whats the harm in going slow? if you just have a little patience and go slow, you'll know you did it right and then you wont have to worry about a cycle at all...

[ninjataco777]

the thing is is that my rocks are covering most of it. can i do all of it that it see if i leave a little bit?

[althea2you]

Originally Posted by ninjataco777

the thing is is that my rocks are covering most of it. can i do all of it that it see if i leave a little bit?

you could try getting the hardest part of the sand... like around and behind your rocks first then put the new stuff there... then the next week, do the easiest part(remove that) and then put in the new there... i mean, you already have livestock in your tank, so it would really stink if you were to lose that do to a little mini cycle or whatever...

[framerguy]

Originally Posted by ninjataco777

. can i do all of it that it see if i leave a little bit?

huh?