Setting up new tank...a few questions

[Beagles]

Howdy.

I want to set up our 46g. bowfront this weekend and I've got questions, questions, questions....

I've got play sand that I'd like to use as the substrate --- maybe with a gravel 'stream' look with some leftover gravel from our other tank.

1. Is it necessary to rinse the sand?
2. How best going about putting the sand in the tank? Lay it in dry and set a dish in there to pour water into? Or??? Will it take long (week+) for the sand to settle down so that I can add the filter?
3. Can I plant in sand easily? Or would I need to add something as a base underneath it?

We managed to successfully move our 5+ year old Angelfish and a 2 year old albino cory from VA to FL back in August and these are the fish that I want to transfer over to the bowfront tank.....

4. Should I take gravel from the tank they're in for the 'stream'? Or use new (leftover, actually)?
5. Should I take the filter medium from the old tank to seed the new tank? How long would cycling take if I did that?
6. Does using some water from the old tank make any difference?

I do not want to lose these two fish...they're very important to me. I will eventually be adding more albino cories - I know I need to have a grouping -- Would anyone like to suggest additional tankmates? I'm in no rush to add them, but I'd like to start researching.

Many thanks....

 

[benedictj]

Definitely rinse the sand before you put it in. This is easily done by placing the sand in a bucket, filling it with water and then draining off the water. You'll loose a little sand, but it will help you massively when you fill the tank.

Also, if you plan on planting the tank, you'll want to add a layer of suitable plant substrate beneath the sand. Most folks use laterite for this. Some will place a thin layer of peat below the laterite. Then dump the sand on top of that.

You'll then want to do the plate thing when you pour in the water. While the sand has been rinsed, this will help cut down on stirring it up.

As far as cylcing is concerned, all of the option you mentioned will definitely help, though the water might not make a huge difference (unless you're going to siphon off plant mulm with it.) Personally, I would use the already cycled gravel over the new, you'll definitely seed more bacteria that way.

In terms of tank mates, definitely add more cories. They really do best in groups. I've read accounts from the amazon where they shoal literally in groups of hundreds. From there you have many options. I would avoid small tetras and livebearers with angels. From there, you can add larger bodied tetras (i like serpaes) or even some rams or apistos. Maybe hatchet fish. or laetacara...tons of options.

 

[ergo sum]

If you want to plant the tank put in some substrate fertilization. It will help in the long run. If you move some of the old substrate, most of it if possible and use the filter you should be fine. Basically you are just doing a water change. If you want to change the filter, run the old one and add the new one.
Rinse the sand, use a plate.