Tank Restock & Set Up

[navy]

Hi all,

I currently have a 60L (18G US) tank with Axolotls but I am going to trade them in and I want to start a tropical tank. The tank is fully cycled (as its been running for 3 years) but it currently has an undergravel filter. yes I know they are sort of useless, but back then I bought whatever the LFS said I should.

This is what I would like to do:

1) Change the colored gravel to something more natural (the brown kind) - can I simply change the gravel without loosing too much bacteria?
2) Change the undergrave filter to a Hang On Filter - How do I change the filter without loosing bacteria? Should I run both filters on for about 8 weeks then take the undergravel one out after 8 weeks?
3) Add a heater (as Axies live in cold water) - can I simply convert a cold water tank to tropical by adding a heater in?

My readings for this cold water tank are: pH Neutral, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10ish

Also I want an elephant nose, however I read it can grow quite large, so would my tank be big enough? Its 60cm (23in) in length. I don't want to just get angels and loaches and stuff, i want something a little unusual

Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

tank would be too small for elephant nose but you have the rest right
run both filters and just add heater

 

[navy]

Thanks for the reply. Oh that's a shame Will have to find something smaller but still unusual