Moved and 55 gallon sat empty for a week...what next?

lousybreed

lousybreed

Aquaria Central Site Controller
Sep 7, 2004
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Bay Area, CA
We moved, I set up a 29 gal at the new house and moved fish along with power filter and sponge filter from the established 55 gal. To move the 55 we drained almost all the water but left the gravel in the tank. It sat in the basement for a week like that. Today I got it back online, the gravel had an earthy smell, not a rotten one like eggs. My question is since the gravel stayed wet and seems ok, will the tank cycle again? I will have my established power filter and the sponge filter and some driftwood to transfer from the temporary home in the 29. I don't want to risk losing my fish. Any suggestions on how to go about getting the 55 gallon back in shape (and good water conditions)??? I have rainbows which are supposedly very sensitive to poor water quality.
 
the bacteria in your gravel is probably dead, but roughly 80% of the bacteria is in your filter, the rest is on your decor, gravel, and the walls of the tank. did you get any ammonia or nitrite spikes in the 29 gallon? if not, then you shouldn't get any in the 55 when you move everything back.
 
I have to agree on this one. I mean sitting for a week is a fair amount of time. I'd probably make sure to rinse the gravel before transfering stuff back. About the only way to find out if its all good is to move it all back into your 55g and do water tests. Personally I think you'll be ok. This past year I moved twice. The first time the utility company screwed up and I didn't have electricity the first day and ended up having to have my aquarium sit for 3 days. Fish, media, plants, and decor were all in plastic tubs the whole time, but everything pulled thru.
 
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