how to change soil for CRS tank

[gentle]

1 year ago i started a 4ft CRS tank - it was thriving after 6 months (~100 of them), then i went on vacation, and got a relative to help with feeding.

unfortunately due to over-feeding - the shrimps started to die after i came back and continued to die until 1-2 months later

now i am left with about 10 - i saw some pregnant shrips, but the young didn't survive

i want to change the soil (from mosura to ADA) but wonder how best to do it...

i have a spare 2ft tank - can i migrate my shrimps to it, then reset the 4ft tank and cycle with the existing media?

will CRS be able to survive in the 2ft tank without chiller and canister for 3 weeks until cycling of 4ft tank is done?

[deone]

You shrimps will most likely be dead without the chiller and filter for 3 weeks. The only way is to set up another tank first and dump your shrimps in

[gentle]

ok i happen to have another old cannister with some new media

is this what i should do?

1) migrate shrimps + soil + water into temporary tank
2) install existing chiller + cannister + media into temporary tank
3) clear old tank
4) add new soil + water to old tank
5) cycle old tank with temporary cannister + new media
6) [after old tank is cycled]
7) connect #2 back the old tank
migrate shrimps to old tank

[globalcookie]

Another option you may want to consider.

- Cycle the new soil in a pail or tank. Aerate it. Do the regular cycling process (eg water change and perimeter measurements).
- Once the new soil is ready, suck out the old soil from tank section by section, replacing it with the cycled soil.
- This may be a slow process, but also workable.
- Remember don't stir the base while doing this. May cause more problems if you stir it (release of toxic waste, etc).