Spent what felt like a massive amount of time today preparing the tank and transferring the fish.
I thought I'd prepared well yesterday, fresh dechlorinated water ready for topping up. Trays for sand, trays for new gravel,. You name it I did it. Well I thought I did. I even had a check list printed up reminding me what to do and in what order and ticked everything off. How sad is that.
First mistake, I sat on the heater intended to be put in the prepared container for putting the fish in while I changed the decor in the tank.
So, I've had to order a new heater, more expense.
Won't bore you with the specifics. I did eventually get it done. It isn't exactly as I had it set out in my mind
but it's not bad and the fish have more room.
I used dead branches from my apple tree which were soaked in the rain butt for a week, then boiled and dried naturally and then popped in the oven for a slow heat up. No burnt branches at all as I watched them carefully.
I used Christmas moss tied to the branches to make a tree and it isn't too bad. I also had a longer, stouter piece which lays across the tank and this also has Christmas moss on it.
They were very stressed (well to be honest - we all were - me and the fish) when I tried to catch them to put them in the container and they were stressed again later when I did the transfer. I tried a jam jar, a jug and then eventually I had to net, being very careful especially of the corys. Their colours in the container were awful and one of my lovely little salt and pepper corys went a pale orange colour.
As soon as they went in they disappeared, not a one to be seen. So I must have enough cover eh!!
They came out after about 1/2 hour and it was great to watch. My little salt and peppers were straight into the sand and their colour is much improved as it is with most of the fish.
The snails have completely disappeared. I've even searched to see if I left them in a container and forgot to put them in, well the mind isn't what it was. I'm REALLY annoyed with myself about the snails as I had already decided that I would only put one in each tank in an effort to avoid any (or too many) eggs. Ah well, we'll see.
The light, I think will have to be changed. It's a reptile one and it's a dull effect and won't show the fish to their full potential.
Will post photo when I can figure out how to do it without my ugly mug also in the pic!
I will be very happy if all the fish survive but I suspect at least one isn't going to make it as it's looking very unhappy. Fingers crossed
With the Nano now empty I was able to spruce it up. It now has growing medium, small rounded pebbles and a small spit of sand. A few plants and more branches from my tree.
That one I am pleased with. Hmmm. I've been hinting about shrimp, in a casual way you understand. No immediate negative reaction (well so far anyway)