Post by Finney on Feb 17, 2019 15:46:35 GMT -5
Hi all, I originally posted this in general discussions but thought I'd try here too as no one seems to be on that one....
I picked up a 45 gal w/stand off craigslist and am planning to move everything in my 29 gal into it. I am wondering what the best way to go about this is. To start here is what I'm working with...
Current tank:
29 gal planted w/ Eco-complete (I think, bought it used and already established)
Established about 8 years
Livestock:
3 Hillstream Loaches
5 Cherry Barbs
3 Amano Shrimp
2 SAE
1 Kuhli Loach >he was the only one when I got the tank 4 years ago
1 Otocinclus > had more at one time
Plants:
Crypts>growing into/through driftwood and has popped up around the tank
Anubias
Ozelot (Echinodorus)>planted a couple weeks ago
Argentine sword (Echinodorus Argentinensis)>planted a couple weeks ago
Green (spot?) algae
Brown Diatom "algae">a lot of this that I try to control
Light-Finnex Stingray
<li>30" Pencil Thin Multi-Color LED Fixture
(32) 7000k + (8) Actinic Blue LEDs + (8) 660nm Red LEDs
True 660nm RED High CRI Scoring LED Bulbs
16 Output Watts
</ul>
Filter-Rena XP2-set up to create surface flow across length of tank
2 additional air bubblers
New Tank:
</li><li>45 gal w/36"Aqueon Basic led Econo-strip light 12V Output</li></ul>
Goal
I need to put the new tank where the old one is sitting
I want to keep plants & critters alive
I wish to remain a "low tech planted"
Concerns/questions
Substrate is approx 8 years old and I've never stirred it up beyond the surface clean
Large driftwood pieces are also 8 yrs old and have been deteriorating/decomposing but still look good
A large portion of the crypts have grown through one large DW piece
Brown dust/diatom covers everything, I control this by pouring very hot water over rocks and any hard-scape I can which temporarily turns them to green algae (as part of my maintenance routine during WC's)
I assume this also kills the BB on these items?
I would be happy to be rid of the brown diatoms but I don't want to eradicate all algae because of my Hill-streams which I plan to get more of
It also covers plant leaves which I try to minimize with some success
I plan to add additional substrate because of the additional 6 inches of bottom space
Do I keep the old and add new to it?
Do I use the old as a base for plants and cover with sand or river gravel?
Do I go with all new substrate?
I've been trying to do research on upgrading tank size and advice is contradictory around keeping or tossing the existing substrate.
I would love some answers & advice from anyone who has done this type of swap (successfully )
Thanks to all in advance!
I picked up a 45 gal w/stand off craigslist and am planning to move everything in my 29 gal into it. I am wondering what the best way to go about this is. To start here is what I'm working with...
Current tank:
29 gal planted w/ Eco-complete (I think, bought it used and already established)
Established about 8 years
Livestock:
3 Hillstream Loaches
5 Cherry Barbs
3 Amano Shrimp
2 SAE
1 Kuhli Loach >he was the only one when I got the tank 4 years ago
1 Otocinclus > had more at one time
Plants:
Crypts>growing into/through driftwood and has popped up around the tank
Anubias
Ozelot (Echinodorus)>planted a couple weeks ago
Argentine sword (Echinodorus Argentinensis)>planted a couple weeks ago
Green (spot?) algae
Brown Diatom "algae">a lot of this that I try to control
Light-Finnex Stingray
<li>30" Pencil Thin Multi-Color LED Fixture
(32) 7000k + (8) Actinic Blue LEDs + (8) 660nm Red LEDs
True 660nm RED High CRI Scoring LED Bulbs
16 Output Watts
</ul>
Filter-Rena XP2-set up to create surface flow across length of tank
2 additional air bubblers
New Tank:
</li><li>45 gal w/36"Aqueon Basic led Econo-strip light 12V Output</li></ul>
Goal
I need to put the new tank where the old one is sitting
I want to keep plants & critters alive
I wish to remain a "low tech planted"
Concerns/questions
Substrate is approx 8 years old and I've never stirred it up beyond the surface clean
Large driftwood pieces are also 8 yrs old and have been deteriorating/decomposing but still look good
A large portion of the crypts have grown through one large DW piece
Brown dust/diatom covers everything, I control this by pouring very hot water over rocks and any hard-scape I can which temporarily turns them to green algae (as part of my maintenance routine during WC's)
I assume this also kills the BB on these items?
I would be happy to be rid of the brown diatoms but I don't want to eradicate all algae because of my Hill-streams which I plan to get more of
It also covers plant leaves which I try to minimize with some success
I plan to add additional substrate because of the additional 6 inches of bottom space
Do I keep the old and add new to it?
Do I use the old as a base for plants and cover with sand or river gravel?
Do I go with all new substrate?
I've been trying to do research on upgrading tank size and advice is contradictory around keeping or tossing the existing substrate.
I would love some answers & advice from anyone who has done this type of swap (successfully )
Thanks to all in advance!