Advice for over-hauling aquascape

Greetings All,

I have a 29 gallon tank which has been doing pretty well since December using EI. I believe the plants need to be up-rooted and re-planted. It has been sometime since I did this and their bottom parts are looking ratty. I would also like to slope the fluorite substrate from the front of the tank upwards towards the back... I have "flat tank" syndrome right now.

Wondering how others do this? I have purchased an additional bag of fluorite for the task as I don't think the current contents are enough. I will be rinsing and sun drying the substrate this weekend.

Is it OK to drain the tank fully before doing my up-rooting and scaping? The current tank residents could be placed in alternative homes in the mean-while. I would wait until things are settled and the temp. is back to normal before putting them back in their home. Would like to have them back home in 12-16 hours... reasonable?

Any suggestions/experiences as always are appreciated.

Cheers!
PhillyB

 

Thanks!

I have several flat broad pieces of drift wood covered in java fern in the tank now. Perhaps I can use the drift wood as terracing borders to keep the substrate in place in specific sections. Will it give it a try!

Cheers,
John