Set up of new Apistogramma tank

[wasabi8888]

Hi all

Need some advice here.....

I am breeding my apistos in a 1ft cube tank (don't ask me to change to 2 ft, OC does not allow). Presently i am using Aqua substrate (neutral) with java ferns, crypts. Light is 9W for about 10 hours a day....No CO2 as well...

SInce this will be my breeding tank, I am thinking of converting it to ADA soil tank which means i need to totally rescape the tank....

Question

1. How long do I need to cycle a tank with ADA soil? Because i have never used ADA before. Except for this tank, i have been using Denn substrate.

2. Obviously i need to take out the fishes and store it somewhere right? can i just put them in a 1 ft empty tank for the time needed to cycle the tank? I probably can use the old tank water and replace with new water as time goes by....

3. What are the requirements of a ADA tank? My current tank with no CO2 has no algae at all which explains why i am so happy with it...is 9W sufficient? what plants to keep to prevent algae?


not sure whether the above should be in this thread or planter thread....mod, shift if necessary...