Congrats on the new job!Sorry I haven't been around guys, it's been kind of crazy. I have questions for everybody, and some news. I've been at my job for 17 years, only job since high school. A year ago I was offered a job and just about left but changed my mind at the last minuet. Well they have came back and again I find myself seriously contemplating going for it. Question is that means moving my tank already. It will be coming with me to the new office, so it would be a tear down and put back together the same day. Trying to figure out if I do end up taking it, what would be the best way to go about. Do I just drain all the water and leave substrate and plants in? Or do I uproot them already and replant again?
I always leave substrate in the tank when I have the option.
There are some nice bacteria populations in your substrate that contribute to the stability of your system. I would want to protect those. The kind of plants you have and the amount of time they will be exposed to air would drive some of the decisions about pulling them or leaving them. They can be pretty delicate when out of water and some of the stalks might break. I think my priority would be to protect the root system and leave it all in tact. You can always trim back the broken pieces and dead leaves.
I use soil in my substrate and it makes things a little different than if I were just using specialized media.
I think you will be fine no matter what you choose. That is just the way I like to do things. Best of luck on your new Job!


