Multi-tank swap and dirt convert idea.

I finally got the tank I have always wanted this weekend, 125 gallon (72"x18.5"x23")! Now here is the fun part, transferring all of my cichlids from my 120 to the 125 and then transferring all my plants and tropicals from my 45 to the 120 and dirting the 120 in the process.

Being the first time that I have used dirt in a tank I have a lot of questions:

1. What dirt should I use? I have read a lot and watched a ton of Dustin's video's as well as some of the others on here and Miracle Grow Organic Choice seems to be the soil of choice, but I read a few other articles saying that it has a water moistening agent and should not be used in an aquarium.

2. If I plan to use the Eco-complete from my 45, which has been running for a year now, as the cap and I am going to use my Fluval 405, also from my 45, on the 120 then do I still need to wait 20-30 days for the nitrogen cycle to complete or can I add my fish immediately? Assuming, of course, that I fill and drain the tank 4 times after adding the dirt/cap and before planting.

3. I plan to put a light dusting of peat moss on the bottom of the tank, add Fluorite red, cover with dirt, add argonite and Fluorite red mix, cover with dirt and then add my cap. Is this a good plan or am I missing something?

4. I very recently did a re-scape on my 45 and all of my plants are going through melt stage right now. Should I wait for them to get healthy again or should I just go ahead and pull and plant again. Almost all of my plants have new growth on them.

5. I have been dosing my tank with excel, potassium and iron as of the last couple of months and have seen a big growth improvement. With adding dirt will I continue to need to dose the tank as I have been or will there be enough nutrients to be able to feed the plants?

Thank you all for looking and I appreciate any feed back!

Here are some photos of the tanks I am dealing with.

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Permalink Reply by Peter on September 18, 2012 at 9:05pm

1. Use Miracle grow ORGANIC CHOICE. The moistening agents u read abou are the wood chips in the mix that absorb and hold water. U can get rid of these by just siftin ur dirt to get all the wood chips out.
2. Even tho u are going to use, used cycled media and filter. U really never avoid a cycle only thing that happens is you shorten the cycle period. How can u tell wen ur water is good, jus test it .
3. How much of a layer o each thing are u gonna do?
4. I personally would move the plants as soon as possible so yet can get acclimated to the new tank parameters.
5. You won't need to dose for like 1 maybe 2 years except for like flourish excel or other equal co2 supplement if you aren't running reg co2.

Disclaimer : I am by no means an expert on dirtin tanks. My biggest tank is 55g so my knowledge is limited to a 55g siZe tank. But check out my profile pic to see my 55g