Tank Revamp Questions

[damanax]

I'm going to be revamping one of my tanks in the next few weeks. I'm going to be replacing the substrate and fake plants with real ones and some driftwood so it might take a few hours. While I'm doing this where should I be keeping the fish currently in that tank? I have a bucket that I use for water changes but I don't have another tank I could put them in. Would they be ok in the bucket for a little? Would I need to put the heater and filter in there?

 
I currently have a dwarf gourami, some guppies  and some peppered corys.
 
My last tank revamp ended badly and some of my platy died so any suggestions would be appreciated 

 

[The Taffy Apple]

As long as the bucket is big enough, then yes it shouldn't be an issue. Include some cover in the bucket with them, cover it with a large dark towel and place it out of the way of other people in the house (as I found out once!). It's probably best to continue running your filter and heater in this bucket if at all possible, this will ensure your filter bacteria are at their safest.
Do it as quick but as safely as possible...ensure new substrate is thoroughly rinsed and check your driftwood has negative buoyancy. Once the change has taken place it is essential to continue checking all water parameters for a while, changing the water if and when needed.
Good luck.
 
Terry.

 

[damanax]

Thanks for the tips. It makes sense

 
I've got a pail I can put the gourami in incase the guppies get a bit boisterous for him. The bucket should be easily enough for the guppies and corys though. I'd need to keep an eye on my cats (especially my burmese, she is obsessed with my purple bucket)  but hopefully they'll be more interested in the tank rather than the buckets sitting around
 
I'm going to be waiting until I have a few days off work so I can make sure that the new substrate, driftwood and plants are all properly cleaned before I even think of moving my fish around. I want to get it done as quickly and cleanly as possible to avoid stressing the little guys out too much. I've had them for a while so I figured that they'd appreciate having live plants and real wood for once.

 

[Ch4rlie]

A clean plastic storage container would also do the trick.
 
They usually have a cover as well so that helps, put the heater and filter or an airstone as well in that while you do the main tank. they'll be fine in there for a little while.

 

[damanax]

The storage container makes a lot of sense. It would give the fish some swimming room. Thanks for the idea! Looks like I'm off to do some shopping this weekend