Is it really that easy to start & maintain an NPT?

[Oldfishlady]

Sorry, I wasn't clear with my last response....Prime is fine to use and it is one of the better dechlorinators when you have chlorine and chloramines in your source water-as well as ammonia in the source water to start with. The ammonia neutralizer products change the ammonia to ammonium and both live plants and beneficial bacteria can use the ammonium just like ammonia for a food source.

What I meant by you not needing to use the old water from your old tank in the new tank-Is that it contains nothing that is needed in a new setup. The beneficial bacteria for the nitrogen cycle are sticky and adhere to all the surface areas within the tank, in the top layer of the substrate and on the filter media-very little are in the water column itself.
The old tank water is dechlorinated-but it may be full of byproducts you don't need or want in the new system and its best IMO to start with fresh dechlorinated water.

If your source water contains chlorine/chloramines-you have to use a dechlorinater with any new water added to the tank. Partial water changes, full water changes and top offs....

[carbonxxkidd]

What is the best way to do water changes/add water in a NPT without disturbing the sand/soil/plants?

[Otterfun]

Originally Posted by Oldfishlady

Sorry, I wasn't clear with my last response....Prime is fine to use and it is one of the better dechlorinators when you have chlorine and chloramines in your source water-as well as ammonia in the source water to start with. The ammonia neutralizer products change the ammonia to ammonium and both live plants and beneficial bacteria can use the ammonium just like ammonia for a food source.

What I meant by you not needing to use the old water from your old tank in the new tank-Is that it contains nothing that is needed in a new setup. The beneficial bacteria for the nitrogen cycle are sticky and adhere to all the surface areas within the tank, in the top layer of the substrate and on the filter media-very little are in the water column itself.
The old tank water is dechlorinated-but it may be full of byproducts you don't need or want in the new system and its best IMO to start with fresh dechlorinated water.

If your source water contains chlorine/chloramines-you have to use a dechlorinater with any new water added to the tank. Partial water changes, full water changes and top offs....

Thank you for your help.

[Oldfishlady]

Originally Posted by carbonxxkidd

What is the best way to do water changes/add water in a NPT without disturbing the sand/soil/plants?

When I add water-I will direct the water flow on/over my free hand to displace the flow so not to disturb the sand/soil/plant layer in my smaller tanks-In my larger tanks I direct the water flow against the back wall since I am using a python to fill the tank.

[carbonxxkidd]

Originally Posted by Oldfishlady

When I add water-I will direct the water flow on/over my free hand to displace the flow so not to disturb the sand/soil/plant layer in my smaller tanks-In my larger tanks I direct the water flow against the back wall since I am using a python to fill the tank.

Thanks!!!

[Psylk87]

Sorry to but in here but I saw this thread and after reading it found it very helpful.
How do I know how many plants I need for a 5.5 gallon NPT?
This will be my first NPT and I plan to do a 5.5 gallon shrimp tank. Can you do a NPT with no fish and only shrimp? Or is soemthing else my better option?

[Sagat]

Originally Posted by carbonxxkidd

What is the best way to do water changes/add water in a NPT without disturbing the sand/soil/plants?

I sometimes pour into a plate that's floating on the surface (or a cup that has it's lip floating at about the same height when I'm lazy).

As for how many plants:
From what I've read, a tank is considered heavily planted if less than 25% of the substrate can be seen from the top.

[Otterfun]

Originally Posted by Sagat

I sometimes pour into a plate that's floating on the surface (or a cup that has it's lip floating at about the same height when I'm lazy).

As for how many plants:
From what I've read, a tank is considered heavily planted if less than 25% of the substrate can be seen from the top.

Thanks