Rescaping a stocked tank? - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

jprime84 · 02-08-2010, 03:37 PM

I have thought about rearranging some plants in my tank, but everything has been growing for several months at this point. Plus, I have fish inside and nowhere to move them to.

Is it bad to uproot and rearrange plants like that?

AquaZilla · 02-08-2010, 04:07 PM

I normally do not like to do that. I usually plan ahead and find a temp home for fish while I tear things up in the tank. All of this followed by a diatom sweep and UV...

Jdinh04 · 02-08-2010, 08:10 PM

I wouldn't necessarily say that its bad, I do it a few times in my grow out aquarium. Just be cautious and aware that when you uproot the plants, a cluster of detritus and mulm will cloud the water. A water change will be ideal after replanting.

jprime84 · 02-09-2010, 07:47 AM

I went ahead and did it during a 50% or so waterchange. I tried to vac around plants as I pulled them up. I only rescaped about 60% of the tank. I wanted to severely redo the water sprite that was growing rampant, and I had a lot of rotala that was all the way up to the surface.

I rearranged some of my wood, and then planted the rotala around it, and trimmed it back to only a few inches so it would grow back thicker.

My tank water is a lot clearer, and more light is getting into the tank now that the water sprite has been cut back.

AquaZilla · 02-09-2010, 09:35 AM

Well done

dewalltheway · 02-13-2010, 11:06 AM

I have done complete tear outs of my tanks before without moving my fish #1 because some of them are too fast to catch, #2 I think it is more stressful for the fish to be netted, put into another tank with different parameters and then re-netted to put back in. I have never had an issue with doing a complete tearout with the fish in the tank. I turn the filters off and tear out the plants and after things have settled, I take my python and clean the top layer of gravel. I then turn the filters back on and rescape. I also have a UV that runs as well.

after tear out and letting thinsg settle

after cleanup

next day after rescape

chadly · 02-15-2010, 09:21 AM

oh wow, your tank looks great for a replanting!

02-08-2010, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
jprime84 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 31	Rescaping a stocked tank? I have thought about rearranging some plants in my tank, but everything has been growing for several months at this point. Plus, I have fish inside and nowhere to move them to. Is it bad to uproot and rearrange plants like that?

02-08-2010, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,205	*I normally do not like to do that. I usually plan ahead and find a temp home for fish while I tear things up in the tank. All of this followed by a diatom sweep and UV...* __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

02-08-2010, 08:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jdinh04 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 241	I wouldn't necessarily say that its bad, I do it a few times in my grow out aquarium. Just be cautious and aware that when you uproot the plants, a cluster of detritus and mulm will cloud the water. A water change will be ideal after replanting. __________________ AquaScapist.com Planted Aquarium Blog & Resource

02-09-2010, 09:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,205	Well done __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

02-13-2010, 11:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
dewalltheway Almost Guru Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 127	I have done complete tear outs of my tanks before without moving my fish #1 because some of them are too fast to catch, #2 I think it is more stressful for the fish to be netted, put into another tank with different parameters and then re-netted to put back in. I have never had an issue with doing a complete tearout with the fish in the tank. I turn the filters off and tear out the plants and after things have settled, I take my python and clean the top layer of gravel. I then turn the filters back on and rescape. I also have a UV that runs as well. after tear out and letting thinsg settle after cleanup next day after rescape __________________ Journals: Tranquility ~~ Restful Hideaway Visit ~~ *Riparium Suppy* ~~ For all your Riparium Needs

02-09-2010, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
jprime84 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 31	I went ahead and did it during a 50% or so waterchange. I tried to vac around plants as I pulled them up. I only rescaped about 60% of the tank. I wanted to severely redo the water sprite that was growing rampant, and I had a lot of rotala that was all the way up to the surface. I rearranged some of my wood, and then planted the rotala around it, and trimmed it back to only a few inches so it would grow back thicker. My tank water is a lot clearer, and more light is getting into the tank now that the water sprite has been cut back.

02-15-2010, 09:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
chadly Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 25	oh wow, your tank looks great for a replanting!

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