Changing substrate

[Moezy420]

Do I have to cycle my tank again if I change the substrate? I am going from medium sized gravel to sand. Is there a certain brand of sand better than another? How long after I pull the sand out can I put a fish in? My Miurus will be here in 48 hours and it needs a home.

[Nick]

No, you don't have to cycle it again so long as your filter media and tank decorations are nice and full of bacteria. If you've recently changed the filter, it might cycle again. What's in the tank now to keep it cycled? Lots of people like pool filter sand, it's a bit large in grain.

[Moezy420]

Thank you for the prompt reply I have a Pacu and a Pleco right now. They should survive the substrate change . So just regular pool filter sand? Is the there any magic hand shake I need to do to make it work best or do I just add it and add water and monitor ammonia and nitrite changes? If there is a spike in ammonia I can do like a 60% water change and bring it down. Does that sound like a viable plan or should I scrap keeping this puffer and wait till the next congo comes along. I want to add him to the tank but not at a health risk to the fish.

[Moezy420]

One more thing how much sand do I need for a 48" x 18" x 21" 75 gallon tank? How much would it take to make a one inch layer on the bottom of the tank?

[Nick]

One bag might be enough then, you'll know for sure when you see the bags. You MIGHT need two for a tank that big. To get it to work well seed it by putting 10-20 pounds or so of your old gravel in a stocking and leaving it sit on the sand for a few weeks, oozing good bacteria.

[OraLacerta]

35 Lbs for a 1" sandbed in a 75. I just put in a 3 1/2" sandbed for my 75- more than 120 Lbs!

[Pufferpunk]

You're going to want deeper than 1" for your puffer to burrow.

[Moezy420]

A sock huh probably not one of mine. I do not want to give my fish athletes gill. lol But really what about bleach or detergent that may be in the sock should I get a brand new one or just go for the old one and put in some extra declorinator?

[Moezy420]

How deep should I go? with the substrate?


P.S. Thanks to everyone that has helped me on here all of you are like my puffer knowledge angels Do not be mad though when I get puffer and tank of the month in the same month lol.

[Nick]

if you want him to burrow, you have to give him his hight in sand. That would require weekly stirring with a chopstick or other stick, to remove anoxic areas where anaerobic bacteria develop.

[Moezy420]

Is there a test that will let me know if the anaerobic pockets are gone? Sorry for being uneducated but I want to make sure I understand.

[Moezy420]

is there any special thing I should do to the sand before I add it? I have emperor 400 will the sand get in them and ruin them?

[Boxermom]

Turn off the filter until the sand completely settles or yes, it will ruin the filter. Rinse the sand first.

[Moezy420]

So it is pretty cloudy how long does it take normally to get un cloudy

[Moezy420]

how do I know if I rinsed the sand enough? Man I think I screwed my tank up lol. I hope it recovers well.