Decorating a Cycled 26 Gallon

[audjree]

I have a cycled 26 gallon tank with one red blood parrot cichlid (and I know that this isn't the appropriate size for parrot cichlids, but since my dad refuses to get a new tank, I've been keeping up with the appropriate water changes) and I'll be redecorating it.

Right now, it's pretty bland. No gravel, but there are several shells on the bottom, but it's still kind of bare. No plants either (my dad was the one who "decorated" this). I've bought 3 tall plastic plants, blue gravel from Top Fin, and a little rock cave from Top Fin. I also plan on removing most of the shells and leaving about 2-3. I'll most likely add more decor later on.

Are there any precautions I should take before removing the shells? Like something to do with pH levels or ammonia levels? Or can I just take them all out and add the new decor? I'll be soaking them in warm/hot water for about 15 minutes then rinsing them in cold water before adding them.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. The tank also has few small pebbles and a small alligator that releases bubbles (sorry, I've forgotten the correct term for this) in case it makes any difference. I'll be removing the pebbles also.

[babystarz]

Originally Posted by audjree

I have a cycled 26 gallon tank with one red blood parrot cichlid (and I know that this isn't the appropriate size for parrot cichlids, but since my dad refuses to get a new tank, I've been keeping up with the appropriate water changes) and I'll be redecorating it.

Right now, it's pretty bland. No gravel, but there are several shells on the bottom, but it's still kind of bare. No plants either (my dad was the one who "decorated" this). I've bought 3 tall plastic plants, blue gravel from Top Fin, and a little rock cave from Top Fin. I also plan on removing most of the shells and leaving about 2-3. I'll most likely add more decor later on.

Are there any precautions I should take before removing the shells? Like something to do with pH levels or ammonia levels? Or can I just take them all out and add the new decor? I'll be soaking them in warm/hot water for about 15 minutes then rinsing them in cold water before adding them.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. The tank also has few small pebbles and a small alligator that releases bubbles (sorry, I've forgotten the correct term for this) in case it makes any difference. I'll be removing the pebbles also.

The shells should be fine to swap out with the new decor, you've got plenty of beneficial bacteria in your filter so the tank should not be overly affected by the removal of the shells.