Re-Aquascaping With Fish

[RobberyinCSharp]

Hey everyone,

So I would like to re-scape my 20gallon tank (because it's painful to look at right now )
I have some lovely plants I have already purchased and are in my tank for the sake of staying alive.
I would also like to add a new planting substrate (I'm thinking going from Laterite to another type) if possible.

The problem is that my aquarium is fully established with fish. The last thing I'm looking to do is cause stress in my tank! Currently I've got 1 electric blue ram, 1 German blue ram, 3 croaking gouramis and an otto cat (for monitoring algae).

How does one go about major tank "reconstruction" without harming their fish?
Thanks!

 

[stu40]

I've just done exactly this on my 15Gal.
Best advice, be prepared.Know exactly what you want to do, and how you want it to look.
Does the new substrate need washing? If so, wash well in advance.Does it give off ammonia for the first few weeks?
Remove plants to bucket, drain 3/4 of the water & keep as much as you can in another QT tank or as large a container as possible.
Internal or external filter? Add to container.
Catch fish, add to above container.
Scoop out old substrate (keep as much mulm as possible)
Add new substrate,add enough water to get it wet.Plant any small, carpeting plants.Add more water, plant any stems (or any taller plants that might need supporting)
Start transferring water from fish container back into tank (use an airline, or least pour slowly through a sieve, to avoid clouding the water)
Catch fish..again..
Put straight back into tank (no need to acclimatise, because you're using the same water that they're used to.)
Sit down, have a cup of tea & bask in the glory of a job well done.!
Simple

(took me about 3 hours, but i had more fish & and lots of stems to plant.

edit: don't forget the 5 P's

 

[RobberyinCSharp]

I've just done exactly this on my 15Gal.
Best advice, be prepared.Know exactly what you want to do, and how you want it to look.
Does the new substrate need washing? If so, wash well in advance.Does it give off ammonia for the first few weeks?
Remove plants to bucket, drain 3/4 of the water & keep as much as you can in another QT tank or as large a container as possible.
Internal or external filter? Add to container.
Catch fish, add to above container.
Scoop out old substrate (keep as much mulm as possible)
Add new substrate,add enough water to get it wet.Plant any small, carpeting plants.Add more water, plant any stems (or any taller plants that might need supporting)
Start transferring water from fish container back into tank (use an airline, or least pour slowly through a sieve, to avoid clouding the water)
Catch fish..again..
Put straight back into tank (no need to acclimatise, because you're using the same water that they're used to.)
Sit down, have a cup of tea & bask in the glory of a job well done.!
Simple

(took me about 3 hours, but i had more fish & and lots of stems to plant.

edit: don't forget the 5 P's

Wow thanks so much! This is great advice. I'm going to definitely start planning!

 

[stu40]

No worries.You caught me in a good mood & i'm feeling generous

Get hold of as many buckets as you can.If you think you've got enough, then go find another.

 

[Llegmore]

Many buckets is an absolute necessity. I was caught out with three buckets full of old substrate, 3 full of new, washed sand and nowhere to put the water.

 

[gregswimm]

I have done 'rescapes' with fish in tank. I suppose if you aren't changing the substrate you could just leave them in. You could always stick them in a bucket or tank water with an air stone, sticking an HOB on the side also works.