New Planted Tank

[drtmima]

Hi, I just bought a 1 yr old planted 600 L aquarium, hoping to do the transfer within the next few days and I have a bunch of lame noob questions about setting it up right

The tank currently holds about 10+ sp of plants (I have no idea what they are), a few corys, snails, ghost shrimp? (very small numerous little things), about 10-15 assorted tetras, 10ish assorted livebearers, pleco.

First of all substrate- I am not sure what the fellow is currently using because he doesn't speak English, but there is a black looking substrate at the bottom of the tank (he called it something like amano) with a net of some sort separating it from the gravel on top. So when I scape can I still slope the gravel to have varying depths or will the plants not reach the substrate underneath ? and do I just slope the gravel or the stuff under too?

CO2 -it comes with a semi-rigged injection system that I really don't understand yet, I am thinking that I will first just set up the tank & O2 aeration and once we are settled try to figure out the co2 - is this a big mistake? He currently has the co2 off anyway, and when I read the explanation article about CO2 in this forum it pretty much went over my head. I am more worried about killing off my fish at the beginning (sorry no offense). Also he currently has this fluted pipe attached to the filter output to prevent too strong a current - should I continue this? I kinda thought a higher current with waving plants was better ....

Driftwood - I have a bunch old pieces from my last tank (55 gallon unplanted community that I rehomed when we moved overseas 5 yrs ago), I have them soaking to waterlog & try to remove the tanins - any advice about avoiding yellow water?

Logisitcal issue about transferring the fish: My plan is to have him drain the tank in the evening, 1 container with substrate, 1 with gravel, 1 with plants, 1 (large 30G rubbermaid plastic bin) with the fish +filter. In the morning the transport (too hot to transport in afternoon, too dark to move tank at night); When we get home I will hook the filter right back up to the fish's bin. The drive is approx 1 hour+. I read alot about acclimatising, and discussions about opening the bag or keeping it closed, pH fluctuations etc. How does this change if they are not bagged? It will take a few hours to fill the tank, scape it, wait for the temperature to stabilise, etc untill I will be able to put the fish back. So I was planning on bagging them as the last step for 1/2 hour or so to get the temperature as well adjusted as possible. Also I assume my pH will be very different from what they have in the bin so I was going to add the water to the bag method. Is this ok? I will of course check pH of both water at the time...

Any advice is appreciated! And once I get set up I will try to post pix so you can help me ID my new community & comment Thanks!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

The substrate is prob ADA which is very good I'd try not to disturb it too much as it can break down and just give you murky water.

Sounds like a lily pipe on the filter which is good so keep that. With CO2 you won't need to set up the O2 airation as the plants will put enough O2 into the water for the fish, suface movement is not so good on a planted tank with CO2 as it lets the CO2 escape. I'd post up some pics of the CO2 kit once you've scaped it and we'll tell you how to set it up, then get yourself a drop checker.

With the tannins from driftwood you can soak the stuff for a year and it will still colour your water so just regular water changes will help if it happens.

With transporting the fish and everything, I'd bag the fish and wrap them up in small groups in the bags to keep some temp, an hour isn't so bad, when you get home fill your bath with water at the temp your gonna have your tank at and float the bags, this will bring up the temp slowly and if the ph is similar to yours then once scaped and filled and up to temp you can put them in providing you keep the mature filter media. If the ph is drastically different then you'll have to acclimatize them with drops of your water in their bag which is a pain in the #16#####.

Hope this helps, seriously tho try not moving the substrate as the ADA lower layer will prob break down to dust, oh and the roots will find it if you plant into the gravel.

 

[drtmima]

Thanks! I like the bathtub idea. But now you've scared me about this ADA stuff - when I put it in the tank what do I do if (when) it crumbles? Not use it? Can I pack it down with something? The fellow I'm getting it from says he's going to get it all packed up before I arrive for pickup, he says he's moved it before but who knows. Wish us luck! I am excited to get things up & running ,hope to be posting pix soon

 

[Ps3Steveo]

If it's not too old it may not break down