Method on replanting a mature tank

[v_nod]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to replant my mature tank (with a large bioload), and have read up on it. The main thing to do is to do a large water change after moving hardscape around/ planting of new plants. But the articles seem to be split between keeping the fish in the tank during replanting and keeping the fish in a spare tank/pail during the replanting. Any advice on which method to follow? Anyone has done it before?

[Urban Aquaria]

If you are doing a major re-scape, like removing and replacing or shifting most of the rooted plants and embedded hardscape, then its better to house the fishes and shrimps in a spare tank or large container/bucket, reduce the risk of toxic spikes and stress affecting the fauna.

[Kiang]

When i am doing major changes to the layout, I will shift the fishes out to a tempo tank as what UA suggested


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[v_nod]

If you are doing a major re-scape, like removing and replacing or shifting most of the rooted plants and embedded hardscape, then its better to house the fishes and shrimps in a spare tank or large container/bucket, reduce the risk of toxic spikes and stress affecting the fauna.

When i am doing major changes to the layout, I will shift the fishes out to a tempo tank as what UA suggested
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! I will keep the fishes in a separate tank when rescaping

[Urban Aquaria]

Thank you! I will keep the fishes in a separate tank when rescaping

Its a good excuse to start another tank too... you'll never know when you need to transfer the fauna around again, so might as well just keep a 2nd cycled tank running permanently.

More tanks the merrier!

[Ken_ng]

If it's a mature planted tank, you would be surprised how far and widespread the roots of some plants have grown. I tried the previous time and I got a shock! The roots ran the entire length of the tank.
Better remove all fauna n turn off the filter. rescape and followed by water change.
At least that was what I did and all my fauna survived

[v_nod]

Its a good excuse to start another tank too... you'll never know when you need to transfer the fauna around again, so might as well just keep a 2nd cycled tank running permanently.

More tanks the merrier!

Haha I wish! But I don't have the space

If it's a mature planted tank, you would be surprised how far and widespread the roots of some plants have grown. I tried the previous time and I got a shock! The roots ran the entire length of the tank.
Better remove all fauna n turn off the filter. rescape and followed by water change.
At least that was what I did and all my fauna survived

Yes, I agree with you about the roots! When I cleaned out the previous scape a few years back, the roots of the plants looked like a fishing net under the soil

[v_nod]

Do you guys put back the fauna immediately after the water change or let the rescaped tank sit for a few days?

[Urban Aquaria]

Best to wait at least 24 hours to let everything settle and stabilize before adding the fauna back in... if you have test kits, it'll be good to measure the parameters and see if they are all okay too, might be able to add the fauna in earlier.

[Ken_ng]

Yup best to wait until the water clears up and the parameters to stabilize once more.. Shifting / rescaping causes spikes ammonia and all the other bad stuff..