Currently, I have a 55g running an AC500/110, a Penguin 330, and a sponge filter ran by a 350GPH pond pump with the output tee'd to the other two filters. I'm in the process of making a wet/dry filter and it should be done by the end of this month. In about two months, I'll be getting another 55g. I'm planning on sharing the wet/dry with the new tank. Will I have to go through the cycling process with the new tank or will I be able to add fish as soon as it's setup?
2 tanks, 1 wet/dry
- Thread starter lshin037
- Start date
You'll be able to add fish immediately, but slowly. The existing bacteria colony is the size for the existing bio-load--it will need time to grow in response to the added fish in the other tank.
FWIW--you will definitely want to add a quarantine process into the equation. Without a good quarantine, you can potentially lose the entire populations of both tanks. Combining filtration can work, but it requires more care when adding stock.
FWIW--you will definitely want to add a quarantine process into the equation. Without a good quarantine, you can potentially lose the entire populations of both tanks. Combining filtration can work, but it requires more care when adding stock.
It looks as if I'll be getting the tank sooner. It's been a little over two weeks since the wet/dry has been running and it's doing a great job. If two 55g tanks share the same wet/dry filter, would it have the same water stability as a 110g tank?
lshin037 said:
Yes you will. Just think of your two 55g tanks as one big 110g tank, it wouldn't matter if you had 50 tanks, if they are hooked up to one filter they will all have the same chemistry. That is if the water runs into both evenly I might add.
Ammonia and nitrite spike
I set up the new tank, added dechlorinator and water, and started up the overflow for the wet/dry. Havent added any new fish. I just moved some over from the old tank. I didn't think running water tests would be necessary so I put it off for another day or so. When I did run those tests, it came out with a result of 0.50 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite. Is this supposed to happen?
I set up the new tank, added dechlorinator and water, and started up the overflow for the wet/dry. Havent added any new fish. I just moved some over from the old tank. I didn't think running water tests would be necessary so I put it off for another day or so. When I did run those tests, it came out with a result of 0.50 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite. Is this supposed to happen?
You have to cycle that tank, I would go the fishless cycle so that you don't loss any fish while it is cycling.
Fishless cycle
Fishless cycle
I would remove the fish from the new tank, and after the ammonia clears up, add them back one at a time. As Oriongirl said, your bacteria in the filter should be enough to start you out near the end of the cycle... but maybe the water just isn't mixing enough and the other tank has bacteria all over it.
I don't want to load you down with too much at once, but have you ever thought of trying this? http://www.bio-elite.com/waterbridge.htm