Replanting a tank

[TLT]

After some thought, I've decided to move my shrimp out of my 29 gal community tank into their own abode. I think I'll have to remove all the plants to catch them because I'm not sure how many are in there anymore.

Do I need to exercise special care when pulling out the established roots of the plants or can I just rip away some roots and treat the plants like cuttings? It's gonna be hard to bury miles of roots (unless I twirl them! :P), but I also don't want the plants to go into shock or anything.

Also, I wanted to take the opportunity to try the whole 'sloping from the back' idea for easier cleaning of the substrate, but will this concept work with Eco-complete? In general, doesn't the substrate just level out with time? I'm no tidy vacuumer, lol. Anyone who has other layouts to direct mulm and stuff to one convenient spot? That'd be helpful!

[247Plants]

you can actually cut a lot of the roots and a plant will survive and grow more!

The worst part is going to be all the debris you are going to stir up.

Yes a slope will work with eco.

[theotheragentm]

Trimming the roots will facilitate more growth and makes plants a lot easier to plant into the substrate. Trying to tuck in a foot long root is no fun at all.

[Cory Keeper]

agreed, the only plant I wouldn't suggest cutting roots is crypts, they don't like that one bit.

Oh and 247, Yes you might stir up alot of dirt, my tank turned crystal clear after it clears up. I havn't seen my tank that clear in ages now.