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  • #1

    Re-Set-Up Questions

    I hope this is the right forum for this thread........

    I have found some nice driftwood online I'm seriously considering BUT I would need to completely dismantle my 55 to change gravel to sand and holey rock to driftwood. Even if I set aside a whole day, my fish (about 15) would have to be moved to a holding tank of some kind or a cooler w/air line, right? Is this even doable w/o killing any of them? Any suggestions or precautions I should know about?

    EC
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  • #2
    I have done so several times with no problems... I would try and keep the filters running and and salvage as much clean old water as possible.
    700g Mini-Monster tank

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    • #3
      It's doable, just make sure the temporary container is clean, and use the water from the 55 their in now. Just run a airline with some of the decor, or plants for comfort....maybe add a cap full of stress coat if you have it. They could stay in there for a few days if they do not get too stressed. You might need to add a heater as well...??

      take your time and plan it out...the redo should go well if you cover all the basis.

      Good Luck...

      CF
      Truth is the cement that holds the bricks and stones of a sane and civilized society together. Remove the former and the latter will crumble.

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      • #4
        In my experience, it's always been harder on me than on the fish to do that. Just make sure you keep your filters running since you'll be changing out the gravel to sand. You're likely to experience another cycle of the tank since gravel tends to hold quite a bit of the beneficial bacteria.

        It's definitely doable. We've moved fish around more times than I can count. Also changed substrates without loosing anyone. I think you'll be fine.
        Our Fishhouse
        Sleep: A completely inadequate substitute for caffeine.

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        • #5
          I have held fish in a std Igloo cooler with an airpump and a heater for 3 days while moving and setup of a tank. Now granted everyone in the cooler where no more than 2-3in in length but there was about 15 fish in there... now I kept the lights out (closed the cooler) so they would not get spooked and they all survived.
          I have moved a 18 gallon tote from Houston to Lake Jackson with tank and everything and about 15-20 full adult Malawi fish survived without heater and air for about 6 hours from the time they where caught out of the tank and entered the tote, to the tank was reset up in Lake Jackson and everything was reestablished and the fish was returned to the tank.

          What fish do Jesper have
          180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
          110           Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
          58 S. Decorus
          "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret Thatcher

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          • #6
            I bred pink convicts in a bucket with just a powerhead and a heater...... I think if you take the time it will be smooth sailing.
            700g Mini-Monster tank

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            • #7
              Oh, and I need to know if there's a chance one could 'over filter' a tank by using a filter that's designed for a much bigger tank? I generally use filters that will work on tanks twice the size I have and don't believe I've caused any problems so far. If I'm going to knock down my 55, I'm also thinking about increasing the size of the filter to something that's designed for a tank atleast 150 g.

              Any comments?

              EC

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              • #8
                Shouldn't... the water in the filter will only displace itself which should keep it level...

                I run filters meant for ponds on my tank and never had an overfill problem.... I have a friend running a 75g wet/dry with 600gph return pump on a 30g.
                700g Mini-Monster tank

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                • #9
                  WOW....you guys (and gal) are terrific. This makes me feel so much better about moving forward with my idea. I've never used driftwood before until I set up my 20L and it turned out so gorgeous I want my 55 to look just as nice. But, I don't want to harm my 'guys' in any way just to please myself. I have a Elec. Yellow 'holding' and wasn't going to move her this time but if I change the 55, I can do it without too much more stress on her. She is such a 'hussy'....always P.G.

                  EC

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                  • #10
                    Soak the wood first to see if it leaches tannins.
                    700g Mini-Monster tank

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