Tank rescape?

[Peatear]

About a year ago i did my first ever planted tank and scape on a 55 gallon tank that would house one longear sunfish
this was before i had really any knowledge of what i was doing and current day let’s just say it looks like s**t
so would there be any safe way to redo the scape? my sunfish is currently about 5 inches and i don’t have a backup tank, but i’d like to get him out to safely redo everything (i’m thinking a 50% drain so it doesn’t have to cycle again)
any thoughts/help on this project would be greatly appreciated, as i’m pretty lost on where to put him and what all to do before rescaping the tank

 

[CassCats]

You can rescape it with him in it if you do it slowly and carefully, or you can net him out and house him in a bucket while you work and carefully put him back.

It depends what you're doing. If you're just moving and replanting stuff, then he doesn't NEED to be removed if you don't want to.

But if you are replacing substrate, he will need to be removed.

 

[Peatear]

You can rescape it with him in it if you do it slowly and carefully, or you can net him out and house him in a bucket while you work and carefully put him back.

It depends what you're doing. If you're just moving and replanting stuff, then he doesn't NEED to be removed if you don't want to.

But if you are replacing substrate, he will need to be removed.

i just plan to add some more sand on top, more plants and some more wood and rocks
i have a 5 gallon bucket and an extra sponge filter, you think that can hold him?

 

[CassCats]

For a short while yeah he'd be fine in that (as in a couple hours tops)

If you are only ADDING new substrate, he can stay in when you do that as well though.

 

[Peatear]

For a short while yeah he'd be fine in that (as in a couple hours tops)

If you are only ADDING new substrate, he can stay in when you do that as well though.

oh perfect then, thank you very much for the advice