Changing the sand in an active tank

[tundrabadger]

So, in Virginia and Vita's tank there is a lovely soft brown sand....came with them when I bought the set up. the downside of this sand is it is almost exactly the same colour as axolotl poop, so I'm not catching it all the time. I'd like to put in white sand, which I have in Alexander's tank, which a) looks really nice and b) I can be halfway across the house, look in the direction of his tank and go "Oh, hey, poop. I should do something about that". Admittedly it's not a big house, but still.



Here's the problem...I have never change the sand in an active tank. Gravel when I had fish, sure, but never sand. Does anybody have any tips for how to go about it?

 

[Hayleyy]

I'd imagine it's a super difficult thing to do while keeping the tank active. If you have a few buckets I would empty as much water as you can into buckets (or empty into a bath, maybe?) and put the axies somewhere safe. Then, get scooping. A scoop or plastic dustpan with a silicone lip might be able to pick up the most sand. Then when you're happy add the new sand and pour all the water back in (and a water change while you're at it).
Be ready for a cycle crash, maybe add some beneficial bacteria as soon as you add the new sand. If you're using the same sand as your other tank take a couple of handfuls so you bring in some bacteria.

 

[tundrabadger]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner...work was kind of nuts last week and we were away over what, in Canada, was a long weekend.



Same exact sand as the other tank. I may have bought way too big a bag when I was setting that tank up and hung on to it in case I got another one going. I may or may not actually wind up DOING it, but it's good to have the advice nonetheless so thank you for it.

 

[Hayleyy]

No worries! Hope it works if you do it :grin: