Do you think this will work??

[Opie-IN]

I had a 30g aquarium that has been cycled for over 2 years. Water is in great shape, nothing out of whack.

I just bought a 55g and the wife said no to keeping both so I transferred the 30g into the 55g. I took all of the rocks, and my penguin 170 biowheel that has been running for over a year so it should be in good bacterial shape. I also added a penguin 330 to the system and put some gravel from my old aquarium in the "media bins" in the 330.

Basically, my question is...

Is my new 55g considered a cycled tank now or do I need to redo the whole cycle again?

Thanks, Brian

 

[ghinksmon]

You should be pretty close, assuming there were fish in the 30 I'd leave it at that for a while to be sure. After a week, if parameters remain steady, then consider adding more fish if desired.

 

[Galaxie]

If there is nothing alive in your tank, the beneficial bacteria would be gone within a week. When is the last time you had a fish, etc. in there?

 

[Opie-IN]

There were 4 small tetras in the 30g today before the transfer and they were moved along with the rocks and bio-wheel filter to the 55g.

This tank will be used for a single Oscar, so I am thinking it should be about ready for one 2-3" Oscar don't you???? After all, how much damage can a 2" fish do to a 55g?

I was thinking about giving the tank a couple days with the tetras, testing it again, and then adding the single oscar and removing the tetras that are in there now.

I guess I could let the tetras stay in there and the oscar can have a snack when he gets big enough, otherwise I would just give them back to the fish store when I buy the Oscar. I guess there is really no difference between a tetra and a $.10 feeder fish eh?

Also, what do you think about the Biowheels? Looks like it will turn the water over just over 9x per hour. Think thats gonna be enough for a single oscar in a 55g??

Thanks, Brian

 

[Galaxie]

This tank will be used for a single Oscar, so I am thinking it should be about ready for one 2-3" Oscar don't you???? After all, how much damage can a 2" fish do to a 55g?

My Oscar is alone is a 55g. Its probably the minimum size for an Oscar. Keep in mind, he'll only be 2 inches for a couple months. Within a year, probably 6-inches, within 2 full years maybe 10+ inches. Max size is about 12". So, as a baby, he can't damage much, but when full grown, prepare to have an extra secure/titanium heater and no sharp objects in the tank.

Also, what do you think about the Biowheels? Looks like it will turn the water over just over 9x per hour. Think thats gonna be enough for a single oscar in a 55g??

The 330 and 170 should be fine. Although I don't like the changeable media with the Penguins. I've switched over to cannisters and AquaClear HOB filters. On my remaining Penguins, I replaced the media with a thick filter floss that I can rinse at regular intervals instead of purchasing new. You'll go broke at the rate they suggest you replace media in Penguins. On the other hand, the bio-wheels give you good aeration, so you won't need an airpump/stone with the two filters you have.

by the way, neat looking background. What exactly is that?

 

[Opie-IN]

My Oscar is alone is a 55g. Its probably the minimum size for an Oscar. Keep in mind, he'll only be 2 inches for a couple months.

Clear on that. I was just making sure that the tank should be ready for the bio load of a small oscar. I plan on leaving him by himself in the tank, so with regular water changes and upkeep the 55g should keep him happy once he is full grown.

by the way, neat looking background. What exactly is that?

I purchased it about 5 years ago, however I have not seen them for sale in the last few years. Its a molded background that sticks out between 1-3 inches depending on where you measure. It is the thickest in the middle, and still allows room on the outsides for larger fish to turn around. It attaches with suction cups to the rear of the aquarium, although mine are worn out. The intakes for the filter system holds it in place now. There is room behind it in different spots for heaters. There are vents thru out the molding that allow for water circulation. If I recall it was around $75 new. It used to be dark gray on the rocks and brown on the wood but a Pleco sucked most of the paint off years ago. I still think it looks nice, and most people wouldnt notice that it was originally a dark background.

I purchased a 3" Albino Tiger Oscar today, and he is doing OK so far. I will update the thread in a few days and let you know if the "tank swap" worked or not.

 

[Holly9937]

As long as you dechlorinated the water in the new tank before it had a chance to run over your established media, you should be fine, just test for a few days like you plan, just to be sure

 

[jasonskillz]

just pour some gas in there
light a match n say bye bye

DONT DO WUT I JSUT SAID
IM ONLY KIDDING

 

[Opie-IN]

Hrmm, No actually I filled it up with the filters running and added AmQuel once the tank was full.

I have always done it like that and never really had any problems, I guess it would be a good idea to start doing it the other way though. Thats a real PIA if you are doing a med-large tank.

I would say that the tap water only hit the filter system for about 10 minutes before I used the AmQuel so hopfeully little to no damage was done to the bacteria base.

 

[Galaxie]

An ammonia test kit will tell you if the tap water affected your beneficial bacteria. I don't let chlorine/chloramine anywhere near my filters. I'm not sure how long it takes chlorine to damage the bacteria, but.... I know how long it takes to re-cycle a tank. I suspect you'll be fine though. One 3-inch Oscar isn't much of a bio-load for a 55g.