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maybe wrong topic but would it be a bad idea to take my fish out and place them into bags while i redecorate the tanks and then place them back in the tank after with their new pals. iwant to do this because their all going into different tanks.also anygreat 29 and 20 and 10 gallon tank ideas for live plants and african driftwood? would a 1 inch layer of sand be okay or 1/2 inc layer be okay on top of my gravel with live plants?

Hi,

Well first thing you have to see about your lights, you want to have 3 WPG so that you can grow almost all kinds of plants with no problem.

As for substrate 3 inches of gravel is the recommended, because most plants develop long root systems and if there isn't enough they'll start "fighting" for nutrients, also it depends on what kind of substrate to use, laterite is the most recommended, i find it messy so I use a Plant Grower Bed, by Azoo a little messy the first night but it settles down pretty fast.

If you are moving your fish, from one tank to another, then it is a good idea to bag them, in that way after you are done aquascaping, you can acclimate them to their new homes.

Good luck!

thanx falstaf!
do u have any ideas for a 29g amazon tank like what plants?
where they should be placed? or can i put a layer of sand down?how thick?angels will be in their will they like it will the corydoras or tetras? can i use pool filter sand?:%):%):%)

Hi,
First, in answer to your beginning post, placing the
fish in separate bags so that they can be more easily
distributed to the other tanks is a very good idea.
In the end, it results in less stress than dumping them
all in one bucket and netting out individuals for each
tank.

As far as plants for an Amazon tank, check out this site:

http://www.azgardens.com/habitats_south.php
This is a part of the Arizona Gardens website devoted
to specific habitats.

As far as the sand and gravel, it is never a good idea
to mix sand and aquarium gravel. Over time, the sand grains
works their way down between the grains of gravel packing
the spaces between the grains and drasticly reducing water
movement between them. This, over time, creates areas of
anaerobic bacteria and possible toxic conditions.
Additionally, over time, the sand winds up on the bottom with the gravel atop.

Since you have written about using sand in the two posts,
I gather that you want sand as the primary substrate.
Many folks use sand, but, overall, it is not a good idea
especially for a new comer to the plant hobby. Sand beds
require constant cleaning, stirring, and care, to look
good and provide a non toxic area for plants.

Planted tanks, as a rule, should have a substrate
depth of about 3 inches. With no plants keep the
substrate depth thin, to an inch or less.

The "cap layer" idea that you and the other post was
talking about is generally reserved for planted tanks
and the bottom layer is always some sort or form of
clay. It is generally an inch to and inch and a half
thick and is either Laterite, Flourite, Onyx Complete,
or unscented kitty litter (presented in MY order of
preference). The bottom layer is then capped by another
one inch or one and a half inch of aquarium gravel, or
sand. Plants are "planted" in the cap layer only, and
then, over time, grow into the bottom enriched layer.

Using that system, you must be very careful while cleaning
(vacuuming) that you don't disturb the clay layer as
it will cloud the tank so bad that you will need a diatom
filter to bring the water back to its crystal clear state.
Any time you uproot a plant in this system you also bring
attached clay particles through the cap layer and into the
tank water.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

well thanks frank! im not doing it.thanx for the sie!