Jerseyfish
04-18-2008, 07:32 AM
So, I started with my discus with little thought into my filtration. I've had an UGF running in what is now my discus tank for such a long time, I didn't want to disturb it and risk ruining a tank that has stayed clear for me for so long.
However, I find that with my daily cleanings, I'm either going to be comprimsing the bacteria bed down there, or I'm going to not be getting it clean enough for my discus. So I figure I will switch over to a sponge. My questions are twofold.
1. If i drain the tank most of the way, to maybe 2 inches above the gravel, and then pull up the UGF, can I simply soak the sponge in the bacteria-filled water to get it set up? I'm running a HOB filter at the same time, so thats fully seeded in the mean time even if the sponge doesn't work at 100% right away.
2. This might sound silly, but I'm very worried about how to safely move the discus to a temporary tank. I've only got a 10g to put them in, which I'm worried won't be enough for the hour or so I'm cleaning. And I've heard that nets are bad, so I don't know how I should go about moving them (2.5-3" each)
I appreciate any input on what to do. I'm in no huge rush to do this, but since I've got time off from work for a few days, I figure in the next 4-5 days would be the best time for me to do it.
However, I find that with my daily cleanings, I'm either going to be comprimsing the bacteria bed down there, or I'm going to not be getting it clean enough for my discus. So I figure I will switch over to a sponge. My questions are twofold.
1. If i drain the tank most of the way, to maybe 2 inches above the gravel, and then pull up the UGF, can I simply soak the sponge in the bacteria-filled water to get it set up? I'm running a HOB filter at the same time, so thats fully seeded in the mean time even if the sponge doesn't work at 100% right away.
2. This might sound silly, but I'm very worried about how to safely move the discus to a temporary tank. I've only got a 10g to put them in, which I'm worried won't be enough for the hour or so I'm cleaning. And I've heard that nets are bad, so I don't know how I should go about moving them (2.5-3" each)
I appreciate any input on what to do. I'm in no huge rush to do this, but since I've got time off from work for a few days, I figure in the next 4-5 days would be the best time for me to do it.