Quick Update
It was a REALLY long process - way longer than I’d anticipated, and pretty rocky towards the end.
Most have made the journey, but Bug didn’t survive, having wedged herself into a rock to hide as I took the tank apart. I’d hoped that I’d taken enough precautions with the rock itself for her to make it, but it was a long shot.
The biggest problem is that the move took so long that all of the filters have near dried out - again, despite every effort to ensure they wouldn’t. In the end, I ran out of bags for the sponges and the weight of water was WAY too great to allow all of them to remain submerged in tubs. I’ll have to recycle the lot.
The fish are currently having to make-do with heavy planting (fast growers, like hornwart and elodea), aeration and daily water changes. The filters I’ll cycle separately with TurboStart by Fritz Zyme, which is the only ‘instant bacteria’ product that I’ve found has long-lasting effects. It’s expensive, though. Very expensive.
On another worrying front (cos there will only be worries for the next few weeks), Beast has damaged his swim bladder and is struggling to keep his tail in line with his head. There are some superficial wounds as well: a couple of bruises and a scrape over the eye, but the swim bladder issue is a major concern, given that under duress it lends itself to bacterial infections. Not surprising, given the circumstances (and he was REALLY unhappy about being removed from the travel crate - there was a lot of thrashing). I’m doing what I can to keep his stress levels down, but I hate the fact that he’s suffering at all.
It’s also the 1-year anniversary of him coming home with me. Not the best way to celebrate.
Anyway. Still pretty out of it, and trying to adjust to the whole moving thing, so content will continue to be sporadic until I’ve got things more under control. Thanks for your patience, guys!










