Tank Overhaul This Weekend

[Rynofasho]

Im swapping out gravel this weekend and going with sand. Should I clean out the aquarium at all when it is bare? I would assume no (it's not an old setup so it is still pretty clean).

Also, Ill be planting this weekend too. I have 10 Vals to plant. How far apart should I plant them? I'm afraid I may not have enough. I also have some Crypts. Just bury the roots like with the Vals? For the sand, I'm pretty sure I should only go about 1" deep. I would assume it is ok to build it up a bit more in the back where I'm planting the Vals or the spots where I put the Crypts.

 

[Geoff-]

Don't drop it and put 20" chromies on. Aside from looking stupid, chrome wheels aren't practical in a battlefield. If you must spraypaint it I recommend sticking with the original random dark greens and browns. Gaudy orange will get you blown up.







don't worry about cleaning, overcleaning strips good bacteria. just dechlorinate properly before running the filter, don't let the filter sit without running water for more than 12 hours or your bacteria will start to die off. If you're not adding fish straight away then add some fish food every day to provide an ammonia source for the bacteria.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Im swapping out gravel this weekend and going with sand. Should I clean out the aquarium at all when it is bare? I would assume no (it's not an old setup so it is still pretty clean).

Also, Ill be planting this weekend too. I have 10 Vals to plant. How far apart should I plant them? I'm afraid I may not have enough. I also have some Crypts. Just bury the roots like with the Vals? For the sand, I'm pretty sure I should only go about 1" deep. I would assume it is ok to build it up a bit more in the back where I'm planting the Vals or the spots where I put the Crypts.

Dont clean the aquarium unless it is filthy. Slope the sand down toward the front of the tank so it is higher at the back its always a good idea to put more in than you think you will need, its cheap so dosnt break the bank.

The Vallis need to be about 2in apart or can look a bit lonely. You need to have some of the Vallis "bulb" showing above the sand.
The crypts should be fine as long as you bury the roots.

How big is your tank & what lighting do you have?

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Don't drop it and put 20" chromies on. Aside from looking stupid, chrome wheels aren't practical in a battlefield. If you must spraypaint it I recommend sticking with the original random dark greens and browns. Gaudy orange will get you blown up.

That really made me chuckle

 

[Rynofasho]

I had to read it a couple times to even understand haha!

Tank is 36 US Gallon with 36W T5 lighting and I will be using root tabs to start, plus Flourish and Flourish Excel.

My one Anubias I already had perked up a TON with just adding the new light, and I stuck to low light species, so I'm hoping that plus the addition of the other stuff will give me nice, albeit slow growth