MTS starting with new tank, some ?s

[Katz]

Hi!

My husband is the best, and got me a 20gal tank for my bithday. Yippie!!

Now, here is the plan, tell me if this will work:

This weekend, after enforcing the stand it's on, I will get gravel, filter, heater, decorations etc. I will move some of the fish from my 10 gal (probably the 3 black skirt tetras), some of the seasoned gravel, and some decorations from the 10 gal into the new 20 gal. Once the new tank has cycled, I will slowly move the rest of the fish over, three at a time, watching ammonia etc. closely. Last to go will be the cories, as they don't really like much excitment anyway.

This should result in 2 cycled tanks, with the 10 gal intended for one or two SA Puffers I have ordered at my LFS.

Given lots of testing and patience, do you think this should work? I could put a new filter cartrige in the 10 gal, and move the used one into the 20 gal, keeping the biofoam in the 10 gal.

Sound good???

[tomm10]

It sounds right to me. I would move the filter media from the established tank into the new one as well. A lot of your bacteria colony should be in there.

[Katz]

just an update:

Gravel, water, heat, filter added to new tank. Will let it run a few days until the water clears (mostly dust from the gravel), then proceed as mentioned above. It looks great. I'll post some pice when it's all done...

[tomm10]

I'm not real positive about the time frame but your new bacterial colony will not last very long without ammonia. If you wait a couple of days before introducing your fish, it could very well be that the bacteria will have already died and you'll be starting a cycle cold.

Don't worry too much about the cloudy water. It should clear pretty quickly as long as its from filter debris and the gravel. I wouldn't wait much more than a day to add a couple of fish to provide the bacteria with ammonia.

I'd love to see pics!

[Katz]

I haven't moved any of the "old" gravel over yet. It will move with the fish and the filter cartridge, probably tomorrow. I want the temperature of the new tank to be stable, and we have Parent Teacher Conferences tonight, which won't really allow for any moving today...

Thanks for your continued interest! I'm the only one in the family that really cares about the fishies, so they don't share my excitement so much... But at least they indulge me...:)

[tomm10]

Okay, then. that's sounds just right! Good luck :) I'm in the process of starting up my 8 gallon hex right now using the same method. I'll post pics of that when its actually got some life in it!