Looking after fish when rescaping

[johnjo]

I am going to rip out my old scape and start afresh seen as its been in place for over 10 years now and was wondering what people do with their fish and shrimp if you only have one tank. I'll be putting in plenty of fresh ADA aquasoil mixed with some of the old ADA aquasoil I have in the tank now from the original scape to help with the cycling of the tank plus my tetra cannister filter is 10 years old and full of good bacteria as well so that should help but I am still expecting an ammonia spike and don't want to harm the fish. Will I be able to put the fish back in the tank with daily water changes to lesson the ammonia or do i need to find an alternative for a week or two as I don't have a second fish tank.

Its only a small 35L tank with 9 Chilli Rasporas, 2 algae eating snails and an amano shrimp that's got be pushing on for 8 years old now, its been in there forever! i just don't want to harm my fish but equally don't want to have to buy a holding tank or some kind.

 

[jamiep]

A month before, put the soil in buckets of water and water change every few days while the excess nutrition leaches

 

[Guest]

These are very handy

A miracle!?

Hi guys, Just found 2 fish fries under water of emersed tank. I’m not sure how it get in there. But, I have some theories; 1. The water I’m using in this emersed tank is from another tank with cardinal and lemon tetras, might be their fries? However, I have found no fries in that tank. 2. I...

www.ukaps.org

 

[johnjo]

These are very handy

A miracle!?

Hi guys, Just found 2 fish fries under water of emersed tank. I’m not sure how it get in there. But, I have some theories; 1. The water I’m using in this emersed tank is from another tank with cardinal and lemon tetras, might be their fries? However, I have found no fries in that tank. 2. I...

www.ukaps.org

I was thinking of maybe a plastic container. Do you reckon I will need a filter for 9 chilli rasporas or just change the water regularly will be enough as they are not big fish. I could stick some plants in there as well plus a heater of course.

 

[Hanuman]

I was thinking of maybe a plastic container. Do you reckon I will need a filter for 9 chilli rasporas or just change the water regularly will be enough as they are not big fish. I could stick some plants in there as well plus a heater of course.

Here is how I do it:
- Save as much water from the current tank and put in a big plastic container/bucket.

• Put some hardscape, some old substrate and maybe some plants that won't suffer too much from low light.
• put an air stone or sponge in there.
• Close the lid. Feed very minimally. Perhaps every other day and in lower amounts as you used to.

When preparing your new setup, use some old soil as you were planning to do. I usually put the old substrate at the bottom as the appearance/color of new and old substrates are not always the same. If you don't mind that, then you can mix them together as well.
Do not clean your filter. Not even rinse it.
Your tank should be cycled in a week or so with this method. I wouldn't add the fish until you read NH3=0. Some people don't mind this and add fish straight away but it requires you changing water every day and also adding some water conditioner to make sure fish are not affected by close monitoring things. I prefer the smooth approach though.

 

[johnjo]

Here is how I do it:
- Save as much water from the current tank and put in a big plastic container/bucket.
View attachment 203277

• Put some hardscape, some old substrate and maybe some plants that won't suffer too much from low light.
• put an air stone or sponge in there.
• Close the lid. Feed very minimally. Perhaps every other day and in lower amounts as you used to.

When preparing your new setup, use some old soil as you were planning to do. I usually put the old substrate at the bottom as the appearance/color of new and old substrates are not always the same. If you don't mind that, then you can mix them together as well.
Do not clean your filter. Not even rinse it.
Your tank should be cycled in a week or so with this method. I wouldn't add the fish until you read NH3=0. Some people don't mind this and add fish straight away but it requires you changing water every day and also adding some water conditioner to make sure fish are not affected by close monitoring things. I prefer the smooth approach though.

That's a great help Hanuman, thank you.