How soon after adding sand to my tank can I add the fish?

Question

Starting a new aquarium and decided to go with sand. Got about 4lbs of play sand, rinsed it well. This took forever!!Added in a couple gallons from my mature tank and put some of the mature gravel inside nylon stockings into my new filter. Filled the new tank with fresh, conditioned tap water. It still got quite cloudy. It's been 24 hours and its at least half as cloudy as last night. When is it safe to transfer a few fish in? Saw some sites that said too much sand in the circulating water will suffocate the fish and now I don't know how long to wait before adding them.

I meant 40lbs of sand...its a 55 gal.

So I think I've got this figured out. Drained the water out and noticed the sides of the tank were real hazy and that the sand was sticking there. Apparently didn't get all the acrylic buffing compound out last weekend when I rinsed the tank. Sand was sticking to it. Also didn't use a polish after the compound so the tank is hazy just from that, then went and added sand..Now when I took the sand out ended up with some new scratches....guess it's time to start back at step one *sigh* think I'll wait for a glass tank next time I try the sand. Would have looked cool though.

Answer 1

You've got the right idea, but did one thing wrong - you added the mature gravel before adding the fish. By the time you get fish the bacteria will have died.

Wait until the water is fairly clear - you should be able to at least see the back of the tank with no real trouble. Do water changes to help, as many as you would like.

Once you do add the fish, that's when you add bacteria from the other tank. What's even better then hanging gravel is taking filter media from the mature filter and putting it into the new, since this is where the largest portion of bacteria is located. There really is no need to add ammonia to the tank now - you'll add fish and bacteria at the same time and presto, cycled tank (I've started tanks from other tanks many times just like this with never the slightest issue).
If you are actually moving all the fish from a smaller tank to a bigger tank, then you can quite literally move all the filter media to the new one(or the entire filter ot the new tank if it fits) along with all of the fish - same bio-load, same bacteria, more water volume - no need to drag it out in this situation. Keep it simple.

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't use play sand - it's all I use. There are ups and downs to it, but I'll never go to gravel again, sand is so much cleaner.

Answer 2

You seem to already know a little about cycling your tank since you're seeding it with the gravel from a mature tank. That will help speed up the cycling process. Unless you intend to have the tank cycle using a "fishless" method, you can add them when the water is mostly cleared. You can do another sand cleaning in the tank by turning the filter off briefly (make sure the gravel wit the bacteria stays under water) and let the dust settle a few minutes. Then siphon the bottom with a piece of cloth covering the end of the siphon - the dust will be pulled through, but not the sand.

If you want the tank to be fully cycled first, add a few drops of 100% ammonia, a piece of raw shrimp, or a few food flakes and turn the heater up. With a food source and higher temperature, the bacteria will multiply faster. Keep an eye on the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and when only nitrates are detected, it's done cycling.

Answer 3

If you would like to help your tank cycle faster there is a product called CYCLE you can get it at petco/petsmart add it then start adding fish 2 a week until stocked. The longer you wait of course the better but CYCLE will help get your bio filter going.

Answer 4

You may want to use gravel instead of sand, sand can cause injuries in the fish's gills. Play sand is not meant for aquariums, and can clog your filters.

Answer 5

Just wait untill all the sand settles and then let the fish get used to the water and they'll do great.

Answer 6

a million. What intensity will have to i placed the sand? Whatever, does not rather subject, despite the fact that if it is too deep it simply turns into filled with dirt. two. What variety of clear out works quality with sand. I have an interior clear out will this paintings? Yes your clear out might be adequate, however interior filters are frequently the least robust of any clear out variety. three. How will have to I upload it to make the least disturbance? If the sand is good rinsed and blank, then you'll fill a small cup or tupperware with sand, placed it beneath the water line and cautiously pour. I've heard of folks utilizing a funnel and a hose, however I'm certain that is no longer indispensable and frequently messier. four. Should I get rid of the fish so as to add it? If you might have a reliable box that you'll placed your clear out in, and the fish and the soiled aquarium water, that might be quality. Try to save lots of as so much of the ancient tank water as feasible, you do not desire to be replacing or throwing away an excessive amount of water at one time. five. I will have to flip the clear out off while including the sand sure? sure, flip it off until the dirt settles. 6. Will taking the gravel that's in there now purpose the tank to re-cycle considering my puffers would possibly not continue to exist biking. If you might have an undergravel clear out then sure, replacing the tank on this method will purpose the tank to re-cycle. If you might have one other clear out as good, and in case your clear out has soiled clear out fabric in it you then frequently don't have a quandary with re-biking. Don't blank the clear out at the moment, do it in every week or so, even then, simply blank the clear out with soiled tank water, do not over blank the clear out at the moment. And underfeed for a couple of weeks, much less meals approach much less crap because of this much less threat of issues with the re-biking. Do a couple of small water changes10-20% each couple days or 25% as soon as every week for a month for those who suppose you're going to have issues. 7. How do I blank sand? You certainly are not able to use a gravel siphon within the identical type you utilize it with gravel. You can use the siphon cleanser, however you need to pinch the hose to lower the go with the flow so the sand does not get sucked up too a long way. Then because it fills with sand, pinch the hose thoroughly to give up the go with the flow, Let the sand fall out, then begin siphoning once more. If you might have a well clear out, and no longer a deep sand layer, then you will not must siphon blank the sand in any respect. Just do water alterations per month. And under no circumstances under no circumstances feed an excessive amount of meals. Any meals at the backside of the tank in three mins approach you over fed. You under no circumstances stated the dimensions of the tank, whether it is bigger than 10 gal you will have to get one other variety of clear out instead of an interior clear out (aqua transparent, {get one sized bigger than they are saying at the packaging} or marineland Penguin or Emperor clear out), run it for a month, then do that sand difference later. Swimming pool sand will not be the quality factor to make use of, I'd use satisfactory coral sand from an aquarium retailer. Edit, I'm no longer certain what you imply by way of a HOB interior clear out, however it isn't important rather, so long as the clear out is not too filthy, you preserve the clear out fabric soiled, and wait to scrub it every other time, then you're going to frequently no longer have the re-cycle quandary. If the clear out is wiped clean to good, or whether it is off for awhile, then you'll lose the biology within the clear out, and feature issues. Everything else sounds satisfactory. There's a pair methods you would do it, however you might have the proper suggestions. Turn off the clear out, siphon just a bit if the tank is soiled, pull out the ancient gravel, placed within the sand, wait a part hour for the dirt to settle, do a speedy siphon of anything you spot and / or get rid of a bit soiled water and exchange it, fan the flames of your clear out, examine your temp, alter your salinity and placed the fish again in together with his soiled water and your performed.

Answer 7

hi i wood check the nitrate levels when they show yew low it will be save to put sum fish in the tank.
the nitrate levels normally time 3 week with tape water in London