Thinking of re-aquascaping my tank

[G_Sharky]

I'm thinking of rearranging my rocks and change everything around and I was wondering if it's okay to leave the fish on the tank or scoop them out to be put on the bucket while I work.....I really don't wanna net and catch them all, but I don't wanna stress the living crap outta them and cause some problems...What do you guys think I should do???....thanks....

 

[nc_nutcase]

I gage it on the intensity of my rearranging. If I can redo one half of the tank leaving them the other half to hide or watch, just move slow and things should be fine.

If it is going to be a major overhaul (such as changing substrates or removing all of the decor) then I would transfer them.

It also depends on what kind of fish you have and how comfortable they are with 'attention'. My Oscars love it when I play in the tank because they just play right along with me. My Pacus on the other hand think that every movement in the house is something trying to kill them (exaggeration).

 

[G_Sharky]

I'm just going to take the rocks out and change the design I won't be removing the gravel or anything.....After I take all the rocks out I'll probably vacuum the arean that the rocks are sitting at....Probably take about 2 hours for me to complete(waterchange and rockscapping)....

 

[nc_nutcase]

If it were me... I'd remove all the rocks from one side, do my cleaning on that side... then replace whatever rocks were going to stay on that side... then do the same process on the other side. That way your fish will have a retreat area if they need one (the half of the tank your not currently working on).

 

[CathyG]

I have done this often, and left the fish in the tank. So long as it is a re-decor and clean up (leaving substrate in place) and you leave the lights off and move methodically and slowly, they will be fine Re-planting and moving decor is probably less stressful than netting the fish out, than netting them back in IME.

 

[nc_nutcase]

leave the lights off and move methodically and slowly

 

[G_Sharky]

thanks for the advice guys/gals...BTW CathyG that's a nice looking tank...

 

[LoachLover]

I'd leave the fish in there and change things up slowly. Take your time and it won't stress them out to bad.