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I wish to swap everything in my planted 29 into a 29 in better condition. During this swap, I also want to add alot of black flourite..At least a 50/50 mix or more with the existing red gravel, to benefit the plants better as well as the better look the darker bottom will provide.

What's the best way to do this without causing a mini-cycle or cycle of any kind ? The red gravel will need to be rinsed as there's a bunch of half degraded lily pond tabs and if I stir that up too much the fish will be exposed to the chemicals. I'll prob switch my fert scheme to Jobe's plant spikes.

Here's what I'm thinking so far..

1. Fill the new tank 1/4 full of water from the running tank, put the washed flourite in, along with some of the old gravel. Place an airstone (or a small corner filter I have, which I could also fill with the red gravel).

2. I have 2 sponges in my filter, and an old charcoal pack. I can place the top sponge in the new tank or squeeze some of that bacteria into the new tank, or just let the sponge float in there.. ?

3. Remove more red gravel from non-planted areas as time permits, rinse using the tankwater then add to the new tank..

4. When the majority of the red gravel is in the new tank mixed with the flourite.. Remove the fish into a large rubbermaid container or laundry hamper along with as much existing tankwater as possible. Swap the tanks then place everything where I want it, then add water and fish filter etc..

Another thought. I might want to add a new Penguin filter with biowheels to replace the Aquaclear 300 (with sponge piece in the intake to reduce flow.) Just add that to the running tank on the lowest setting possible for a couple weeks to build up bacteria, then do the whole swap in one day then put both filters on the new tank, leave them both there a few weeks then remove the aquaclear. Faster. I may have to move soon so will have enough tasks to do..

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks





The Amazon Nut...

I might want to add a new Penguin filter with biowheels to replace the Aquaclear 300 (with sponge piece in the intake to reduce flow.)

Trying to reduce water flow in a biowheel may prevent the wheels from turning. They requirer a certain flow underneath them to spin. Be careful ith larger 330 model that has two wheel. If the flow is off balanced, there may not be enough flow for the one wheel to spin.

Do you just pull up on the intake to reduce flow like the mini ? Are you saying I just seed the new filter then do the whole swap ? Thanks.

The Amazon Nut...

Thanks for the help. I had some 'e-mail discussions' about this. Will simply move the old filter to the new tank with new substrate..

The Amazon Nut...