I Would Like To Change The Lot! My Method?

[doresy]

Ok, my larger tank being an AquaOne 850 (see signiture), it has the filtration system in the hood.

What I am planning to do after 4 years is to completely change the scape of the set up.......plants, substrate the lot!

MyPlan..........

1. Obtain a borrowed tank.....minimum length 33" to accomodate hood fiter (inlet and exhaust)
2. Syphon half my water over to the second tank along with a spare heater
3. Transfer all the fish to the second tank.
4. Syphon remaining water into second tank and switch on heater
5. Place the hood/filter over the second tank and switch on.
6. Remove everything from my tank and clean.
7. Add new substrate (thoroughly cleaned sand) and dechlorinated water.
8. Add plants etc, switch on heater
9. Leave for a couple of days to clear and temperature to stablise.
10. Transfer fish back over a couple of hours being careful to acclimatise in the correct manner
11. Place the hood filter back over the original tank.
12. Return borrowed tank and say thank you.

All going well, the filter should remain cycled. The fish, providing I am careful, will not be over stressed and all will be well.

SO..........Does anyone fairly local (SOUTHAMPTON AREA) have a tank I could arrange to borrow for a while please

 

[Mikaila31]

I don't think you would have to use another tank. If you clean the substrate and have it ready to add to the tank. It shouldn't cause to much clouding and if you leave the heater on the same setting the temp should not change. The fish may have to spend a hour or 2 in a bucket. But once you have the new sand and plants in, and the tank is full, and the temp is normal. The fish can go back in. A little cloudy water should not bother them.

Other than that, you don't actually need a glass tank to house fish. I have used plastic storage bins a few times to house fish temporarily. Just make sure the heater doesn't touch the plastic, and the storage bin is clean. It doesn't have to be see-though, but what I normally set up looks like this.

 

[rodg98133]

I recently totaly changed everything in my tank over and i bought a black plastic bin from wilkos for £6. My fish and filters and a heater were fine in there for approx 6 hours ish and i didn't loose 1 fish.

 

[doresy]

Hi all and thank you for your imput.

The bin idea was considered but I really want to make sure my hood filter it in continuous operation to preserve bacteria and it wont fit over a bin.

Also I want to take my time cleaning and scaping the tank, making sure that it has the desired effect before introducing the fish. The reason I am re-scaping is that I have introduce plants and decorations over a period of time, it now looks a mess and it is time for radical changes.

It's definately 'fish out' to do the job right especially as I am stocked to the limit