Change of Substrate

[dvwang]

Hello,

I am currently using regular sand as my GSPs' substrate. It's been about 4 months now and I'm starting to notice dirt and debris collecting on the sand and am having difficulty removing them (as the sand gets sucked up too when I use a vacuum).

Is it okay to completely replace my entire sand substrate with crushed coral? Here is what I bought:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4 ... AA300_.jpg

I initially started off with sand substrate because I thought it'd be more comfortable for their bellies as they sleep on the substrate. Will the crushed coral scratch them up?

[G S P Freak]

I'd imagine that'd work fine... My GSP has a crushed shell substrate which works great. His belly is fine, there shouldn't be anything in the substrate sharp enough to hurt them, as they don't put alot of weight on the bottom.

[bertie 83]

That is absolutely fine, I think it is recommended tbh. Their skin is tougher than it looks.

[Pufferpunk]

Lots of us have stopped using CC, although I didn't mind the stuff. To clean sand, do a thorough stirring, let the debris settle, then skim across the top with your siphon. Are you suing a Python?

[dvwang]

Okay I just bought some colored pebbles. If I take out all the sand and just replace is with the rinsed-pebbles, will it mess up the tank cycle?

[Pufferpunk]

I suggest using aragonite sand. Like CC, it will jeep the tank buffered, around a steady 8.

[bertie 83]

+1. You can always add some of the coloured pebbles too.

[dvwang]

So I can just take out ALL the sand at once and replace is completely with CC + pebbles?

[bertie 83]

Absolutely. Please keep an eye on your water params closely for at least a week after, just to be safe.

[Pufferpunk]

Personally, I'd leave the sand, especially if yo plan on going SW with that tank. CC/gravel is difficult to clean, under LR & sand will host a ton of living creatures. If left at 1", you'll never have to clean it.

To clean the sand now, all you need to do is stir all of it (even under decor), let the debris settle & light skim over it with the wide Python attachment. You DO have a Python for WC, right?