THe tank transferrence to the 30g Long is done! Here's what I did, if it helps anyone in the future.
I ran the new filter in in the tank overnight (cause I couldn't get the temp up before I went to bed
) with conditioned water and the new gravel (Not sand unfortuantely, as it would be hard to rinse adequetly in an aparment and it was just one more thing in the move to stress over, perhaps when they move to a house with me, then I will try that). It was actually up to temp within 4 hours, with two smaller heaters. Fed my skinny frogs-I had fed my fish the day before- so as to cut down on ammonia.
This morning I pulled the plants removed all the leaves and stems threatening to die, replanted/aquascaped them in the new tank, put fish in a bucket in a combination of their old tank water and new stuff, with their caves. I would recommend removing fish at the very first step, because with an algae bloom and just all the debris being stirred up from the plant removal, it was very had to find the fish. Then I scooped out the old substrate, quite harshly. I was going to try to maintain the uppermost layer, but after accomodating the extensive root systems, things were stirred anyway. I put the old substrate on top of the new. I used all pebbles and mixed some parts a little for appearance, trying not to smother the stuff holding the bacteria goodies. I swished all the decorations in old tank water, but didn't wash them.
Next put all the decorations in, put the old filter on the back, then christened it with the loach (who the tank is for), and put in the other fish. Put nylons over all intakes, and added the frogs who were coming from another tank. Put their frog filter on the back, added their decorations. I went with an all-glass, complete glass hood (coming in tomorrow), going to try to use my 18 inch 18,000k light for now as I don't have too many plants, they are low light anyway, and I want to stave of the algae ickies.
Everyone looks awsome!! I am so excited it has worked smoothly. I plan on testing things tonight, just to make sure woemthing weird hasn't happened chemically. All the fish and frogs are normal. The betta is the king in ALL the new space, the loach is going over all the plants (I think he has cewd holes in them already, the cories are a little skiddish (they had the most traumatic removal) and the frogs are very actively swiming everywhere. I wonder what they think...all there stuff is there, it is just rearranged, bigger and cleaner, oh and the view is different as they have moved to my bedroom/office! wish that wold happen to me!
In researching fo this I found info at the skepticalaquarist.com as well as from ppl here and from about.com
Now I just have to figure when to remove the older filters. The smallest(5g) will go first I guess, then the bigger 15g one.
Thanks everyone who helped me with your suggestions and discussions about this whole thing!! :bday:
Lisa
I ran the new filter in in the tank overnight (cause I couldn't get the temp up before I went to bed
) with conditioned water and the new gravel (Not sand unfortuantely, as it would be hard to rinse adequetly in an aparment and it was just one more thing in the move to stress over, perhaps when they move to a house with me, then I will try that). It was actually up to temp within 4 hours, with two smaller heaters. Fed my skinny frogs-I had fed my fish the day before- so as to cut down on ammonia.This morning I pulled the plants removed all the leaves and stems threatening to die, replanted/aquascaped them in the new tank, put fish in a bucket in a combination of their old tank water and new stuff, with their caves. I would recommend removing fish at the very first step, because with an algae bloom and just all the debris being stirred up from the plant removal, it was very had to find the fish. Then I scooped out the old substrate, quite harshly. I was going to try to maintain the uppermost layer, but after accomodating the extensive root systems, things were stirred anyway. I put the old substrate on top of the new. I used all pebbles and mixed some parts a little for appearance, trying not to smother the stuff holding the bacteria goodies. I swished all the decorations in old tank water, but didn't wash them.
Next put all the decorations in, put the old filter on the back, then christened it with the loach (who the tank is for), and put in the other fish. Put nylons over all intakes, and added the frogs who were coming from another tank. Put their frog filter on the back, added their decorations. I went with an all-glass, complete glass hood (coming in tomorrow), going to try to use my 18 inch 18,000k light for now as I don't have too many plants, they are low light anyway, and I want to stave of the algae ickies.
Everyone looks awsome!! I am so excited it has worked smoothly. I plan on testing things tonight, just to make sure woemthing weird hasn't happened chemically. All the fish and frogs are normal. The betta is the king in ALL the new space, the loach is going over all the plants (I think he has cewd holes in them already, the cories are a little skiddish (they had the most traumatic removal) and the frogs are very actively swiming everywhere. I wonder what they think...all there stuff is there, it is just rearranged, bigger and cleaner, oh and the view is different as they have moved to my bedroom/office! wish that wold happen to me!
In researching fo this I found info at the skepticalaquarist.com as well as from ppl here and from about.com
Now I just have to figure when to remove the older filters. The smallest(5g) will go first I guess, then the bigger 15g one.
Thanks everyone who helped me with your suggestions and discussions about this whole thing!! :bday:
Lisa
