Filter Tweaking

[vinylman]

Ok, folks; a few weeks ago I had to move my 4 foot tank into the kitchen whilst redecorating the living room (oh, joy!). In a couple of weeks I'll be putting it back. I've been thinking about the filter media I've been using and I know some people use their own choice and combinations of stuff. At the moment the bottom basket has ceramic media and a black biofilter sponge; the next one up has just black plastic bio balls; the third one up has two black biofilter sponges and the top one has two black bio filter sponges and a fine white filter.
My fishload is 10 Cardinal Tetras, 10 Pencilfish, 10 Harlequin Rasboras and 8 Pentazona Barbs (these are the largest fish in the tank at around 2.5 inches). Would any of you tweak or customise what's in the filter?. It's a six month old Tetratec EX700 and the tank is well planted with a 30% water change every ten days. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[madgap]

Would you mind telling me how you moved it... I have to build a new cabinet 'cause we want ours in better view.

 

[vinylman]

Actually, it's an experience I'm trying to forget..................but ok. First thing is...PLENTY OF TOWELS AND BUCKETS!!. Try to save around 50% of the existing water. Then of course you'll need extra buckets for the fish and also a few more for the gravel. Oh, and a couple more for the plants. The best bet is to plan ahead what you're going to do and what's going where. Sounds obvious, but it does save time. I drained the tank down as far as possible, then pushed the gravel to one side, 'cornering' the fish at one end of the tank and making it MUCH easier to remove them. Always remember to cover the buckets containing the fish with a couple of towels; they may never have tried to jump out of the tank, but once they're in a bucket..............
Once the fish are out, you can remove the gravel ( I found a new plastic dustpan does the trick) and place it in a couple of buckets ready for re-washing before putting it back when the tank's been moved/replaced. Don't forget to leave the heater in the tank for a while after switching it off, don't just switch it off and take it straight out of the tankwater. Once you've got the gravel out it's just a matter of moving the tank. Two people should have no trouble moving anything up to a four foot tank. Just don't try to move it before you've taken all the gravel out; all you can support when moving it is the ends - the weight of the gravel will still be unsupported in the middle. Once you've got the tank moved, it's just a matter of doing everything in reverse. Good luck and remember, LOTS OF BUCKETS AND TOWELS!!!!.

 

[madgap]

I have a couple of, and can get more, big barrels especially for water. I was going to syphon the water down quite far. Remove the rocks. Then, with three of my strongest work mates, carry the tank with its contents about 20 feet to the other end of the room!
Sounds easy. it wont be