I Want To Re-Do My Whole Tank

[Clarousel]

I have this crazy idea of re-doing my whole tank - taking out everything and then putting it back again. Mainly because I get this feeling it's very dirty and I want to rearrange my plants properly. But I'm not sure how to go about doing it.

I've got fish in there too which makes things (kinda) worse. Should I just scrap this idea?

 

[This Old Spouse]

You might want to give us an indication of what you have now.

And pics would be marvy.

 

[Louiseness]

I rearranged my whole tank just this past weekend. I had some new plants that needed to go in and some new stones that I had to rearrange the whole layout for.

I didn't go about it any special way, just...did it. Only problem I had was getting the clown plec and bamboo shrimps to un-stick from the bogwood

They did hide for a few minutes afterward but I don't see why it would harm them.

 

[Clarousel]

Heh sorry I didn't know what info to put up

The tank I wanna re-do is my 16G here's a pic (gotta scroll down a bit).

 

[KittyKat]

You shouldn't have any problems. If you plan to really move substrate around (and I don't recommend that you remove it, unless you're changing it to a different one), then it might be a good idea to move the fish and that airstone into a bucket while you do the move. Where's your heater and thermometer?

I also recommend that you add a plain black background to one side, unless the tank is viewed from all sides. I also think that some more decor, like a piece of wood, would go well.

Are those plants all live ones? That's the second one from the right?

Personally, I would concentrate on sorting out the stocking over re-arranging. In the photo, the tank looks fine.. how dirty could it have gotten in a month?

 

[Clarousel]

You shouldn't have any problems. If you plan to really move substrate around (and I don't recommend that you remove it, unless you're changing it to a different one), then it might be a good idea to move the fish and that airstone into a bucket while you do the move. Where's your heater and thermometer?

I also recommend that you add a plain black background to one side, unless the tank is viewed from all sides. I also think that some more decor, like a piece of wood, would go well.

Are those plants all live ones? That's the second one from the right?

Personally, I would concentrate on sorting out the stocking over re-arranging. In the photo, the tank looks fine.. how dirty could it have gotten in a month?

I actually wanted to remove the gravel and wash it because when my dad did up my tank he didn't wash it (cause the bag said pre-washed) and it's getting my fairly annoyed now. I know I'll have to get the fish out so can I just use the current tank water? Unless like you said I shouldn't... I've never used a heater because I live in Singapore and the weather's fairly hot. Plus the tank is outside.

Yes I'm planning on getting some wood when I visit the LFS again. I've added a new plant since then. Yes they're all live plants. Honestly I have a feeling the 2nd one from the right ain't an aquatic plant

 

[KittyKat]

You shouldn't have any problems. If you plan to really move substrate around (and I don't recommend that you remove it, unless you're changing it to a different one), then it might be a good idea to move the fish and that airstone into a bucket while you do the move.

I actually wanted to remove the gravel and wash it because when my dad did up my tank he didn't wash it (cause the bag said pre-washed) and it's getting my fairly annoyed now. I know I'll have to get the fish out so can I just use the current tank water? Unless like you said I shouldn't...

We normally wash substrate only because it is dusty when new. Do you still get lots of dust when you stir it up? Or it is fish crap now? If it's fish crap, using a syphon to hoover the gravel every time you water change is a better long term solution.
If you take the fish out, you should use the current water to keep them in while you work on the tank. Some fish jump, so I recommend you make sure that the bucket is covered with a lid. The airstone will help with the oxygen for the fish, while you work.

Where's your heater and thermometer?

I've never used a heater because I live in Singapore and the weather's fairly hot. Plus the tank is outside.

You may still want a thermometer though, to monitor the changes, but as you say, heater is most likely not needed.

Are those plants all live ones? That's the second one from the right?

Yes I'm planning on getting some wood when I visit the LFS again. I've added a new plant since then. Yes they're all live plants. Honestly I have a feeling the 2nd one from the right ain't an aquatic plant

It isn't, take it out and pot it It's a palm.

 

[Clarousel]

We normally wash substrate only because it is dusty when new. Do you still get lots of dust when you stir it up? Or it is fish crap now? If it's fish crap, using a syphon to hoover the gravel every time you water change is a better long term solution.
If you take the fish out, you should use the current water to keep them in while you work on the tank. Some fish jump, so I recommend you make sure that the bucket is covered with a lid. The airstone will help with the oxygen for the fish, while you work.

Yes it's still dusty Makes me very frustrated when I do water changes because even though I tried using a plate when pouring in the water, my tank will get all cloudy although it'll settle after an hour or so (not sure about the time taken).

This sounds dumb but when I remove and put back the fish, how should I fish them out? Do I fish them out one by one or..?

You may still want a thermometer though, to monitor the changes, but as you say, heater is most likely not needed.

Never actually thought about the thermometer. Will take a look when I'm at the LFS.

It isn't, take it out and pot it It's a palm.

That's what I thought! I had a feeling it looked bamboo-ish and I couldn't find it in the list of aquatic plants. Amazing it's still alive.

Oh yeah about the filter, I know it shouldn't be left without water running through so what should I do with it when sorting out the tank? My filter hangs across on top of the tank and I usually take quite a while...

 

[This Old Spouse]

Why don't you run the filter wherever the fish are? And you can fish them out with a net one by one.

 

[Clarousel]

Why don't you run the filter wherever the fish are? And you can fish them out with a net one by one.

If the fish are in a pail I won't be able to run the filter

 

[KittyKat]

This sounds dumb but when I remove and put back the fish, how should I fish them out? Do I fish them out one by one or..?

One by one is fine remember that some can jump, so it's best to hold the bottom of the net with your hand (once you caught the fish out) and with your fingers loosely closed around the top, so the fish rests in your palm, but you don't actually hold it. Then for letting the fish out into the bucket, invert the net and open your hand after lowering it into the water. It's probably a good idea to put the plants in the bucket with the fish while you clean the tank.

You may still want a thermometer though, to monitor the changes, but as you say, heater is most likely not needed.

Never actually thought about the thermometer. Will take a look when I'm at the LFS.

Alcohol ones are the best solution.

Oh yeah about the filter, I know it shouldn't be left without water running through so what should I do with it when sorting out the tank? My filter hangs across on top of the tank and I usually take quite a while...

The media needs to remain moist, so if the media is submerged, then it's fine to leave it as is. If the water drains out of the filter, move the media to the bucket with the fish or put it into another bucket with old aquarium water.

 

[Clarousel]

One by one is fine remember that some can jump, so it's best to hold the bottom of the net with your hand (once you caught the fish out) and with your fingers loosely closed around the top, so the fish rests in your palm, but you don't actually hold it. Then for letting the fish out into the bucket, invert the net and open your hand after lowering it into the water. It's probably a good idea to put the plants in the bucket with the fish while you clean the tank.

Thanks for the detailed explanation Seems a little complicated (I'm wondering how I'm gonna get my hand over the net) but I'll try and figure it out haha. Yep will put the plants in together.

The media needs to remain moist, so if the media is submerged, then it's fine to leave it as is. If the water drains out of the filter, move the media to the bucket with the fish or put it into another bucket with old aquarium water.

Goodness I feel really dumb now. Why didn't I think of that! I just did a 50% WC today so if I "re-do" my tank over the next few days is it safe to use back the original water in the tank? Or should I just change the water while I'm at it?

Gonna have to start planning out the whole process. I'm excited!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I thought the filter needed to be running if it would be more than about 24 hours before it was started up again. Otherwise the bacteria won't have anything to feed on .

 

[Clarousel]

I thought the filter needed to be running if it would be more than about 24 hours before it was started up again. Otherwise the bacteria won't have anything to feed on .

I will sort out my tank in a few hours. Definitely not leaving it over-night!

 

[KittyKat]

One by one is fine remember that some can jump, so it's best to hold the bottom of the net with your hand (once you caught the fish out) and with your fingers loosely closed around the top, so the fish rests in your palm, but you don't actually hold it. Then for letting the fish out into the bucket, invert the net and open your hand after lowering it into the water. It's probably a good idea to put the plants in the bucket with the fish while you clean the tank.

Thanks for the detailed explanation Seems a little complicated (I'm wondering how I'm gonna get my hand over the net) but I'll try and figure it out haha. Yep will put the plants in together.

Not over the net, under it and just close your hand over the fish (very gently, let the fish rest on your hand, don't squeeze) with the net between your hand and the fish.

The media needs to remain moist, so if the media is submerged, then it's fine to leave it as is. If the water drains out of the filter, move the media to the bucket with the fish or put it into another bucket with old aquarium water.

Goodness I feel really dumb now. Why didn't I think of that! I just did a 50% WC today so if I "re-do" my tank over the next few days is it safe to use back the original water in the tank? Or should I just change the water while I'm at it?

Either should be fine

I thought the filter needed to be running if it would be more than about 24 hours before it was started up again. Otherwise the bacteria won't have anything to feed on .

Yes, of course, but it should be fine just for a couple of hours that it usually takes for maintenance