Re-Aquascaping

[NL146]

I think I know what most people are going to say on this one so this may sound like a rhetorical question, but here goes...

Do you all remove your livestock when moving around your rocks, re-doing aquascaping? I'm going to be doing some work but I don't want to stress my fish and anemones by netting and leaving in a bin (no I don't have another tank). It would mean introducing them into new water that might result in shock. However I would imagine it would be more stressful on the fish to be in the tank while a huge predator in the form of a hand moves rocks around. How do you do your re-aquascaping? Thanks.

 

[pmoneyt]

i dont know about the fish but i usually remove the coral but i leave the fish. i will be doing the same thing today myself

 

[xvinny631x]

I run a diatom filter when i move stuff around.. Never had a problem with the fish or corals after aquascaping

 

[NL146]

How about using pvc pipe (maybe 1" to 1 1/2" long) columns as foundation for the rocks rather than placing them directly on the glass? That would elevate the rocks, and minimize clouding of the water due to substrate movement.

 

[DrGonzo]

I just redid my tank and left the fish in. And everything survived. I even found a few critters I forgot I had.

 

[SevTT]

I think I know what most people are going to say on this one so this may sound like a rhetorical question, but here goes...

Do you all remove your livestock when moving around your rocks, re-doing aquascaping? I'm going to be doing some work but I don't want to stress my fish and anemones by netting and leaving in a bin (no I don't have another tank). It would mean introducing them into new water that might result in shock. However I would imagine it would be more stressful on the fish to be in the tank while a huge predator in the form of a hand moves rocks around. How do you do your re-aquascaping? Thanks.

Really, it depends on what you're doing and how sensitive the critters are to being moved, versus how sensitive they are to sediments being disturbed, etc.

It's probably a good idea to chuck any loose or really bushy corals in a bin so you don't wind up shattering them, along with any clams -- many have gills that can be fouled by excessive sediment. Plus, of course, remove any hazardous creatures which might cause a health problem for yourself -- like lionfish, those insane flower urchins, anything like that.

If it's not a problem working around it, I'd leave the anemone and clownfish in. The clownfish -- yeah, they'll be annoyed as hell, but they're used to being bottom man on the predatory totem pole and will just hide in the anemone when they're not actively attacking you. I always advise not moving anemones once you've got 'em settled, 'cause if they start roving again because of it, it can be a real headache. That, and they're probably among the critters most easily damaged through moving, for many reasons.

I'd also recommend that you keep water circulation going, along with your skimmer, while you're working. This will help suck out all the detritus you're kicking up.

 

[NL146]

Thanks guys. I left the fish and rbta in the tank. It got a little cloudy but they didn't seem to care. The dust has settled and the water is clear again. The rbta's are trying to find their spot. Just need to brush up on my aquascaping skills.

 

[DrGonzo]

Thanks guys. I left the fish and rbta in the tank. It got a little cloudy but they didn't seem to care. The dust has settled and the water is clear again. The rbta's are trying to find their spot. Just need to brush up on my aquascaping skills.

It's always a little nerve racking.

 

[SevTT]

It's always a little nerve racking.

I'm always terrified I'm going to drop a rock through the bottom of my tank.

 

[Reeftanker3295]

I move my corals all to the front of the tank, re aquascape slowly and then move my corals back. I even have a lionfish who will not leave the rock when i move it and he has not been injured.

 

[NL146]

Well, it's still work in progress but I did some re-arranging tonight. I moved the few frags I had out of the way (just in case a rock fell) and put my lack of artistry to work. The clowns were cool (or appeared to be) as they just followed the anemones whereever I put them. As before, the anemones are trying to settle now.

 

[Master Shake]

i usually take some water out of the tank into a tub and then take the corals out, i leave the fish in and do what has to get done

 

[aaron23]

im gona do some reaquascaping myself. take out all the corals into a tank with heater and small pump, then most of the rock into bins with fresh saltwater and then 20 hours of fussing and throwing rock around

 

[Dre]

i usually take some water out of the tank into a tub and then take the corals out, i leave the fish in and do what has to get done

:bagfish: