Tank Re-arranging

[SirBT]

Greetings all - long time no talk!

Seeking a bit of personal experience / advice from anyone who has been through a tank re-arranging, etc. Sometime over the next month we're planning on doing some large tank maintenance (moving some of the larger wood pieces, placing some new plants, etc.) The last time we did this (usually about once a year or so) we simply worked around the tank inhabitants with no issues - everyone made it through just fine. My question is this. . .

We have a smaller tank used for minor fishie emergencies and I was wondering what would be less stressful to my swimmers - working around them as in the past or temporarily transferring them to the E/R tank while we work? Like I said we've had no issues in the past but if it's less stressful on them in general while we clean, re-arrange, remove, etc. I'd rather do that than stress 'em out more. Obviously we'll have the E/R tank cycled, etc. but any general info on this would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dthoffsett]

It depends on how extensive your rearranging is going to be. Earlier this year I changed out the substrate and 130lbs of rocks in my mbuna tank, since I completely drained the tank I move the fish over to a QT tank. However, if you're just moving around the decor and any plants I'd probably leave them in. It's pretty stressful to chase the fish around to catch them, move them to an alien environment, then chase them around with a net again, and then plunk them into another alien environment (their regular tank).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[backtotropical]

That's some good advice IMO.

Also, if you're uprooting everything, be sure to do a 50% water change once you have finished as stirring up the substrate etc can release ammonia etc into the water column, which is obviously detrimental to the fish, and can also be an invitation to algae.

 

[Tacklebury]

That's some good advice IMO.

Also, if you're uprooting everything, be sure to do a 50% water change once you have finished as stirring up the substrate etc can release ammonia etc into the water column, which is obviously detrimental to the fish, and can also be an invitation to algae.

Interesting point.

I've just carried out a full tank swap, including moving substrate. I purposely disturbed the gravel as I put it into the new tank so as to get the filter cycling asap.

 

[SirBT]

Thanks for the replies and advice - much appreciated!

 

[jarcher1390]

Just re arrange with great care and don't be a bull in a china shop

 

[DarkEntity]

If im just doing a move about ill leave the fish in the tank but place a divider about 2/3 along the tank so that i can work in peach and im not chasing them about. IF however im doing a gravel out/sand in like recently i removed all the fish to a seperate tank.

 

[Jules H-T]

I'd just get on with it and be in the tank for as short a time as possible TBH. If you can, you should work on one side first, then move to the other- the fish will go to whichever end you are not messing about with.