Getting my first tank this Friday!

Yeah I thought about doing a sand change and the more I think about it the better it sounds. It'll probably just make everything easier. Will putting new sand in start a cycle that may be dangerous to the fish or will it just be a small spike?

And how would I go about putting the sand in? Should I put the water in first or the sand first?

 

Add the sand first, then put the bags from the sand on top of the sand and fill with water. That way you don't stir up the sand. ;D

 

Ok heading to pick up the tank tomorrow evening. I am going to wait a little while to add any fish, but I was wondering if a tang would be okay to add to my 46 Gallon tank. I really would like a yellow tang or a small blue hippo tang. Would either of those work?

 

A 46 gallon tank is a bit too small for any tang. sorry

 

Comments:

- Save some of the sand (maybe 10%), but put in new. The existing will seed the new and this way you start fresh.

- Don't move the tank with sand in it. The last time I did this (and it's why it was a last time) the bottom of the tank cracked. Won't matter if you get mostly new anyway.

- 50 miles is not an issue for anything... as long as it's not 50 miles through something like LA traffic. Put the critters in a cooler and go quickly. At the new location plug in a pump/airstone while you set the tank up.

- As someone mentioned, have new water ready to go. My recommendation would be to have close to 50 gallons on hand. Yes, you will likely only need half that, but if something happens along the way and you lose the old water you'll be covered. You can use the rest for water changes.

- Make sure the 5g buckets you are using have not been used for anything else. The last thing you want is tainted water. You can also buy a large Rubbermaid trash can (the beefy kind), line it with a trash bag and fill it up part way. Then tie the trash bag closed. No sloshing! Only works if you are using a pickup or other decent sized truck to move where you can tie the thing down well.

- Too small for a tang. Not too small for a dwarf angel, though.