Is this an ok thing to do?

[UnderWaterDiver]

Hi all,

I am beginning to think about re-arranging my tank, and also add more substrate to the tank. I am thinking about a lot of changing and re-arranging so i think (but correct me if i am wrong) the fish should move out while I am busy. Hope to do it in a couple of hours not 2 or 3 days...

I have a 55G with canister filter.

So can i do this?:

Take out the majority of the water and put it into a temp holding box.
Put all the fish in it plug the canister filter into this box and heater.
Then remove all plants (will re-use) top up/change the substrate, put the plants back in.

Then put new water in the tank half full, and a power head + sponge to filter out the stuff floating in the tank at that point. And use a spare heater to start getting the temp up.

Then if all is settled down and temp is ok, move half of the box water in the main tank, and then slowly move the fish in the tank as well and top up the tank with the remaining water from the box.

Then re-connect the canister filter.

My concern is "do i have to go to complete cycling again"

My thinking is that i don't touch my canister filter so that should still be ok right? but is this so?

What is the advise?

[chefjamesscott]

i dotn see any reason why that wont work or why you would need to do a complete new cycle

[Jag1980]

I completely changed the substrate in my tank all my fish stayed in the tank and everything was fine.

When you add more water to your tank, make sure it is the same temp as what your tank in now.

[Riiz]

The filter should be ok, as long as the filter and fish are together, the bacteria will survive. And if you can match the original tank parameters, the fish shouldnt be too stressed.

[UnderWaterDiver]

Thanks all for your feed back.

I need to think about how i want to make the new setup look. get some stuff and then one day i will do the big change...