moving a tank - re cycling it.

[dubai]

I'm not completely new to fish keeping, i had a 100cm long tank about 5 years back, but i'm not sure what to do in this situation.

I have just "acquired" a 150 cm, 500 liter tank from a friend and now need to move it from his house to mine. I'm going to put all the fish (theres only about 20-30 and they're all platies, zebras, neons etc - so small) in a big bucket that i'll set up with some their gravel, rocks and live plants from the tank. Then I can transport the fish easily and they can live in the bucket for a few days whilst the tank it setting up.

I'll then empty the water from the tank - keeping a bucket full to add to the tank once it's set up, put the gravel in bags and load the tank, stand etc into the car and move accross.

Firstly, does this sound like a good plan? And secondly how long do I need to cycle the new setup for before adding the fish back. Bare in mind that all the original gravel, pump, filter (ehiem 2215), wood, rocks, plants etc will be put back in the tank along with the extra bucket of water saved from the original setup. The tank has currently been set up for about 2 years.

Last question! - theres a small crack in the bottom corner of the tank. Its been there the 2 years my friend has had the tank. It's patched up with silicone and hasn't leaked, but I want to change this panel to a new one. I know how to do it, but how long should I leave the silicone to dry before setting up the tank?

Any advice on these questions would be a huge help. it's a daunting move!!!

[gt1009]

If you keep the biological media from the filter and the tanks gravel wet the whole time you should be able to put the fish right in as soon as you get the tank put together without going through a cycle.

[Rbishop]

Yep..using the existing filter.....you can set up immediately...
But I would repair the crack before doing anything.....

[krytan]

Keep the filter running on the bucket with the fish in so the bacteria doesn't starve.
I would wait seven days for the silicone to cure after you have replaced the cracked pane of glass. You will need to reseal the whole of the tank because new silicone won't bond to old silicone.

[bushwhacker]

if the tanks not leaking now i wouldnt mess with it.. bring it home set it up and get the filters running and put the fish in it... no need to save the water, just keep the filter media and substrate wet

[bradlgt21]

I agree keep the filter media in with the fish while transporting. So the media stays wet and gets fed off the fish's waste. Then just throw it all together when you get it to your place. The tank will not need to cycle because you already will have the bacteria build up to feed off the ammonia, and nitrites. Just make sure you keep the filter media wet and fed and you should be fine.

[KarlTh]

Bacterial dormancy/dieoff is around 1% per day IIRC, so I wouldn't worry about losing bacteria - it's overstated. Don't bother with a bucket of the water - no point.

[bluekrissyspike]

if the tanks not leaking now i wouldnt mess with it.. bring it home set it up and get the filters running and put the fish in it... no need to save the water, just keep the filter media and substrate wet

i agree