Tank upgrade

FisheyLisa

FisheyLisa

Fish-a-roni
Nov 2, 2004
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I read an article on the internet that explained how to move one community to another tank in about 24 hours. It said basically that you get the new tank, fill it 3/4 full run new equipment for 24 hours, bring the conditions up to the old tank (pH temp etc). next put in the old gravel, after lightly vacuuming lg matter while in old tank, decorations, and I suppose here i'd set up plants. directly transfer fish (as ong as conditions match). transfer old filter.

Does this sound ok? I don't trust the site, but this sounded ok to me.

Are there any tips to make this as smooth as possible?

With all the old stuff in there will it still need to cycle?

Are there recomendations to moving plants so as not to traumatize roots?

Thanks!!
Lisa :dive2:
 
I move a FO 15 gallon tank to a 29 gallon tank.

Used new gravel, all new water, old established filter, all the fake plants/decorations from old tank.

No deaths. No cycle. No problem.

Did it in 1 hour.
 
Pretty much what Rich said, but I'd like to add that you would have to use all the same media and most or all gravel, and 80% of water from old tank (In order not to cycle, but even then you may still have to....)
 
I will be using everything in my old tank...filters, plants(live), decoratoins, all gravel. I am moving my 15 into 30-33 depending on what I can find.

New stuff will be a 2nd heater and probably a second filter (I was thinking of getting one like I have whisper for 5-15 g that way I'll have two of this size- since the tank will be twice the size). I will probably add some more banana plants.

I was hoping not to move too much of the old water as I have a green algae prob.? Is this recommended anyway? I can take care of the algae prob when the new tank is set up, but thought i'd maybe clear it up as I think my plants will outcompete.
 
Beneficial bacteria free floating in the water is a myth. The bacteria we want to keep(to not cycle) attaches to surfaces. The vast majority will attach to the areas that have the most water turnover(to bring oxygenated water with ammonia/nitrite to the hungry little beasts). Namely, the filter media.

If you use the water from the old tank, all you are mainly transferring is the nitrates and other TDS from the old tank. (I.E. the unwanted elements that we strive to control through partial water changes). As long as you do regular, decent amounts of water changes on a tank, these will not have a large enough difference from your old tank from the tap water.

Beneficial bacteria attaching to the gravel in large enough amounts to matter only occur in undergravel filters. If this is the case then take the top layer of gravel from your old tank and place it as the top layer of your new tank.

Water does not cycle. Make sure it is dechlorinated, and the same basic temp as your old tank(+/- few degrees) and switch over the filter(s). If you think a new tank must cycle even with the old filters moved over then you do not understand what is going on when a tank cycles or where your bacteria are accumulating.
 
Well the problem is, your current water is cycled allready, so if you don't use most of it, you will start a mini-cycle, probably won't take too long. I would suggest using 75-80% off old water, mostly syphoning from the top of the tank.
 
Fine. I'm not arguing the point. If some of the old timers who have fought this argument a thousand times already will not back me up then I will agree I'm wrong.

Ask Oriongirl, Daveedka, RTR, Happychem, TKOS, Lila boffins, plantbrain, etc.

I have used nothing but squeezings from established filters from old tanks a total of 5 times in the past year and a half in new tanks.

All new tank/water/decorations/fish/everything and have not once experienced a cycle in doing so.
 
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