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Changing scape

Richard40

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
321
Location
Manchester
Hi, I’ve a 130 litre tank and changing the plants in there with some redwood. I have fish already in there and wondering if I need to do daily water changes to prevent algae and anything else to make sure it goes ok!
 
When setting up a new tank daily water changes are a good idea for the first week. If you're rescaping an established tank as is, with water and fish in, probably just do a substantial water change after you've finished around 80%, and then a couple of 50% water changes a week for the first 2-3 weeks and see how you go. Posting a FTS before and after, and a little more info would perhaps help to better determine what is required tho'.
 
Pretty much every time, and scaping it without water too. It's a process that's best taken time over, the result is always better that way. After all you'll probably spend a lot of time looking at it. It'll undoubtedly be far less stressful for the critters as well.
 
So what do you recommend a large plastic container to put all the fish and water in whilst I’m planting? First time I’ve done it with fish.
 
Yes, something like this from IKEA https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/samla-box-transparent-30102974/

samla-box-transparent__0711009_PE727890_S5.jpg
 
Perfect, is there an easier way to fill up tanks rather than buckets that takes forever? Noticed George Farmer uses a pipe.
 
Yes I use a hose too, attached to one of these on the kitchen mixer tap. If you want to add prime it can be dosed direct to the tank. I think George runs the taps in to a bucket sat in the sink and then pumps the water in to the tank, that way he can add prime to the bucket first.


14205.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice, something I’ll look into. If you’re adding prime direct to the tank which fish in there, is it safe?

Also, if you’re pumping out the water I take it you use buckets?
 
Well, if your tank is higher than your garden or drain, then gravity will do the work. First though, you have to fill the hose with water to get the process started, either that or go red faced and faint trying to suck the water from the tank through the hose, and risk a mouthful of tank water :sick:
 
Last question would you recommend adding 20% of my old aquarium water back into the tank and the rest 80% of fresh water? Don’t want to get rid of all the good bacteria
 
Hi all,
Last question would you recommend adding 20% of my old aquarium water back into the tank and the rest 80% of fresh water?
Good idea.
Don’t want to get rid of all the good bacteria
There aren't many in the water column itself, there are many more in the attached biofilm on plant roots, in the upper layers of the substrate and on the filter media.

In the case of the filter it is worth pouring 90% of the water out of the filter and making sure that it isn't air-tight whilst it isn't running. As long as the filter media remains <"damp and oxygenated">, you shouldn't have any issues.

I'd reserve a small amount of the mulmy water and then before you start the filter back up give the filter sponges etc a <"swirl in the mulmy water">.

cheers Darrel
 
So the tank looks a hundred times better. Kept 20% of the water. I have had an ammonia spike though and a couple of fish off colour. Trying to get that down. Filter is running and going to add a bottle of JBL Denitrol. Any further advice is welcome.
 
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