DarylF2
Aquarium Advice Activist
I just added new lights to my 38-gallon (36" long x 12" deep x 20" tall) tank, but after reading a LOT here and starting to read my new book "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist, Second Edition" (which is terrific), I've decided to remove my undergravel filter and coarse pebble gravel and replace it with a real substrate.
I've pretty much decided on Eco-complete, but have a few questions. How deep a layer should I make, and how many 20 pound bags will I need to buy?
My undergravel filter is "powered" by two powerheads. I'd like to keep one, as my Zebra Danios and Bamboo shrimp really like it. Its intake is covered by a vent to keep it from sucking in fish, but will this be sufficient? Will having a "loose" power-head be a problem?
I'm planning to put my large ornamental rocks, driftwood, and filter media into a clean, chemical-free plastic tub, covered with tank water during the re-working of the tank. The fish will go into a 20L tank with the plants from the 38 (to provide some cover and help reduce stress). Both tanks will have airstones to keep the water oxygenated during the transfer, which I'm hoping will only take a couple of hours...
My plan is to first put 4-8 gallons of tank water into the plastic tub and another 6-10 gallons of tank water into the empty 20L tank, and get both airstones running. Then I'll remove the rock, driftwood, and filter media and place into the tub, making sure they are submerged. Then I'll carefully remove the plants and place into the 20L tank. Then I'll even-more-carefully catch the fish and put them into the 20L tank. After this, I'll empty the 38 of water and remove the undergravel filter and old coarse pebble gravel, then rinse the tank lightly to remove any excess gunk from the undergravel filter. Then I'll add the Eco-complete (probably a 2" layer, I'm thinking, unless anyone advises otherwise) Then, I'll add Prime-treated fresh water until the tank is about 1/2 full. Then I'll add the rocks and driftwood back in, rearranging the Eco-complete so the rocks are well seated against the bottom glass (rockslides are no fun). After this comes the filter, heater, and powerhead (possibly). Then I'll re-plant the plants (except for the Anachris, which I like floating), then put the fish back in and finally put the Anachris back in. Whew!
This will hopefully keep my biological filter largely intact, as I will do my best to minimally disturb any bacteria on the rocks, driftwood, plants, and filter media. The plants should help keep the fish calm, and the airstones will keep the water oxygenated for the transfer.
Does this plan sound okay? Am I missing anything important?
I've pretty much decided on Eco-complete, but have a few questions. How deep a layer should I make, and how many 20 pound bags will I need to buy?
My undergravel filter is "powered" by two powerheads. I'd like to keep one, as my Zebra Danios and Bamboo shrimp really like it. Its intake is covered by a vent to keep it from sucking in fish, but will this be sufficient? Will having a "loose" power-head be a problem?
I'm planning to put my large ornamental rocks, driftwood, and filter media into a clean, chemical-free plastic tub, covered with tank water during the re-working of the tank. The fish will go into a 20L tank with the plants from the 38 (to provide some cover and help reduce stress). Both tanks will have airstones to keep the water oxygenated during the transfer, which I'm hoping will only take a couple of hours...
My plan is to first put 4-8 gallons of tank water into the plastic tub and another 6-10 gallons of tank water into the empty 20L tank, and get both airstones running. Then I'll remove the rock, driftwood, and filter media and place into the tub, making sure they are submerged. Then I'll carefully remove the plants and place into the 20L tank. Then I'll even-more-carefully catch the fish and put them into the 20L tank. After this, I'll empty the 38 of water and remove the undergravel filter and old coarse pebble gravel, then rinse the tank lightly to remove any excess gunk from the undergravel filter. Then I'll add the Eco-complete (probably a 2" layer, I'm thinking, unless anyone advises otherwise) Then, I'll add Prime-treated fresh water until the tank is about 1/2 full. Then I'll add the rocks and driftwood back in, rearranging the Eco-complete so the rocks are well seated against the bottom glass (rockslides are no fun). After this comes the filter, heater, and powerhead (possibly). Then I'll re-plant the plants (except for the Anachris, which I like floating), then put the fish back in and finally put the Anachris back in. Whew!
This will hopefully keep my biological filter largely intact, as I will do my best to minimally disturb any bacteria on the rocks, driftwood, plants, and filter media. The plants should help keep the fish calm, and the airstones will keep the water oxygenated for the transfer.
Does this plan sound okay? Am I missing anything important?
What beautiful pictures! I have to admit I went to the garden pictures first! I love coleus plants! The aquarium pics are great too -you put a lot of work into your tank.
