TomFromStLouis
04-25-2007, 4:14 PM
I've had a CO2 injected 75g setup for about 4 years now and it might be time to stir things up a bit. Pretty much the only plant that has not moved is a crinum calistratum that is beginning to take over. I planted it midtank about 1/3 in from the left and its leaves touch the left, front and back. Not much swimming room with the crypts and java fern filling the lower half of the water.
Anyhoo, I've read that crinum does not like being moved, but I'll bet I've got 6-10 separate stalks now so I am interested in spreading them across the back and opening up much more foreground in the 'scape. Shocking the plant would be okay as long as it lives.
Questions:
1 - Most of the gravel feels quite solid with roots. I presume the crinum roots cover the entire tank bottom. So I will need to clip roots and upset the bacterial layers in the gravel. If I vacuum as I uproot will I avoid poisoning the fish? I have guppies, rummynose tetras and SAE.
2 - The completely upset gravel will need to restablish itself. What issues will this raise once I get past the initial shock?
3 - Is there a better way to do this like maybe only the left third one week, center third the next, etc. instead of cold turkey all at once?
This whole setup has continually evolved over all 4 years. But now seems the time to deal with bigger issues than replacing one stem plant with a slower growing crypt. Anyone with experience want to share thoughts? BTW this is my only tank and I need to keep it operating throughout the procedure.
Anyhoo, I've read that crinum does not like being moved, but I'll bet I've got 6-10 separate stalks now so I am interested in spreading them across the back and opening up much more foreground in the 'scape. Shocking the plant would be okay as long as it lives.
Questions:
1 - Most of the gravel feels quite solid with roots. I presume the crinum roots cover the entire tank bottom. So I will need to clip roots and upset the bacterial layers in the gravel. If I vacuum as I uproot will I avoid poisoning the fish? I have guppies, rummynose tetras and SAE.
2 - The completely upset gravel will need to restablish itself. What issues will this raise once I get past the initial shock?
3 - Is there a better way to do this like maybe only the left third one week, center third the next, etc. instead of cold turkey all at once?
This whole setup has continually evolved over all 4 years. But now seems the time to deal with bigger issues than replacing one stem plant with a slower growing crypt. Anyone with experience want to share thoughts? BTW this is my only tank and I need to keep it operating throughout the procedure.