Coral Sand?

[lilacamy931]

I got coral sand for my puff tank as it helps to buffer PH and the salinity from what I have been told. I have a good quarter of the big bag left and wondering to transfer either the 10g or 14g over to sand, but worried the coral sand may mess with PH etc ... anyone?

Also stupid question of the day now - how do you go about it??? Get fish in a bucket with heater while all decs re out and take gravel out and cup cleaned sand in?

LOL you must dread my questions sometimes

[Nath J]

Haha i guess that is what you would do? cant think of an easier way. Might have to watch what fish you have in the tank with the sand as the sand may increase the PH for some fish that prefer lower levels :D. I have some of the coral sand in my snail tank and it works wonders for their shells

[lilacamy931]

Ohhh definately put in the snail tank, it is bare bottom at moment and that will help, good thinking batman!

Well the change over would be with bettas and possibly lampeyes and not sure how sensitive lampeyes are and since they are doing so well wouldnt want to kill any off.

[mellychops]

LOL Melly has no idea how it would affect Ph but I have changed all my tanks to sand. It's a job and a half but well worth it!!!!

Basically I put the filter in the bucket with the fish and some tank water turned the filter back on whilst doing the tank.

Then I used the gravel cleaner to suck all the water out cleaning the tank at the same time. Then scooped the gravel out and used a plastic bowl to add the cleaned sand in. Then add all the ornaments plants etc before refilling. I found if you use a jug and pour the new water onto the highest ornament in your tank the sand becomes less unsettled. It will be cloudy but shouldn't be too bad and it clears pretty quick. My fish were all ok in cloudy water until it cleared. .

[lilacamy931]

Thanks very much Melly! That does seem the method to use. thanks sweets.

Just going to look into more on this coral sand as it is mainly used in marine/brackish tanks. As all are fresh till converted I have just had a thought to test the PH in all and see if any other differences. Back in a jiff

[pippoodle]

just use the play sand in the betta tanks hun - that has no affect on ph and put the coral sand in the snail tank and keep as a top up for the dp's - as the sand settles it's level drops

[lilacamy931]

Yep me thinks that is a good idea pip as thinking the change will be siginificant. One tank has a mixed white gravel and the white looks reeeaallly mankey no matter how much I clean it, the other has luminous yellow which..I am a little fond off bit garish but not too bad. Thinking change over the 14g first! Thanks pipppoodle, your signature always makes me smile x

[pippoodle]

welcome hunni bunni

[ReptileLuver729]

A good way for the sand not to move while your pouring in the water is to cover the sand with the plastic bags it came in and hold them down with heavy ornaments. Then once the tank is filled take the plastic bags off the bottom! Good Luck!

[pippoodle]

when filling my tanks with sand i always use a gravel vac with the ends taken off
spoon the sand into there and use like a rubbish shute on a builders site - this way the sand dont go everywhere

[Ollie]

Wouldn't wetting the sand prior to putting it in the aquarium be cleaner, faster and easier? Once you have the sand depth where you want it, add water slowly with a cup, smooth it out - and voila! an underwater desert!