Tank Rescape Advice

Your planned rescape sounds very nice. Not sure I would do E. vivipara, it is a super messy plant that grows really big unless you are very firm with it. I had it long ago, wasn't firm with it and it made such a mess! Suspect all I needed to do was keep it pruned down but I didn't know that at the time and was pulling, sorting out and replanting it like it was a stem plant.

GSA isn't a nuisance for me now that I dose more phosphate. Amazing that is.

I would want to have another filter on the display tank so it could clear up faster. Could you put a sponge filter or HOB on the tank to circulate the water? Don't think you really need to be concerned with filter bacteria as you will move the canister over with the fish and the plants should take up ammonia produced during the upheaval just fine.

I take the plants and hardscape out, clean and organize them. If I move slowly and the filter is left on the water doesn't get cloudy. Then I drain 3/4s of the water out, part goes into the temporary tank along with a heater and my trusty spare filter. Then I start the fun task of catching speedy fish in an eight foot long tank which takes longer than planting a square foot of hairgrass blade by blade. Remove the rest of the water, do my hardscape as I please, plant, fill, plant. Then drain the tank completely and do a super slow refill with the hose on top of bubblewrap which so far has worked wonders every time to keep the water clear. I let the tank circulate for a while and test the water. Fish go back in once the tank water hasn't any ammonia or nitrite. They are somewhat easier to catch in the 30" bin. Somewhat.

I always keep a few HOB filters around to help clear things up after major scaping, new tank set ups etc. Usually with a piece of cut to fit micro-polishing cloth tucked in front.

If I know I'll be needed a seeded filter for a holding tank, I'll switch out an older course pad out of my canister filter (good time to rotate in a less worn one anyway) and shove it in behind the HOB filter and run it on the main tank that way for a few days to make sure it's got a good bacterial load.

My bigger fish typically come out easily, but the small ones get left 'til all the plants and hardscape are out so I can get to 'em. My secret tool? A sheet of acrylic cut just shy of the width of my tank and given a heavy bead of silicone on each side. Once the water level is lowered and I've pulled all the plants and hardscape, I chase the fish to one end, put the sheet in, scoot 'em along to a small manageable area and wedge the sheet in place. The silicone gives enough flex to squish it firmly in place.