I literally said I filled up the 29 gallon with water ONLY from the old 60. There was NO other water in there. So what they were used to swimming in was what they went into when transferred to the 29.You said you put "some" old filter media in the new filter, so not just old tank water.
I didn't (so I will have to revise my initial response to you that the tank was cycled), but I assumed everything was fine because it was the EXACT SAME WATER the fish were swimming in for over a year in the 60 gallon that had been established already. They are doing fine, swimming, eating and acting like themselves since going in the 29, and the water has remained CRYSTAL clear. Because the tank is so small, I am changing the water every few days in small amounts.Have you tested the 29g yet for ammonia & nitrite?
I can do an ammonia and nitrite test, though, just out of sheer curiosity.
The actual FILTER itself, or can I just put the CARTRIDGE that's loaded with slimy BB in the bigger Aqueon 75 filter?IF the 29g shows 0 for those 2 tests I'd consider the 29g cycled. When you are ready to move the fish move the filter(s) from the 29 to the new tank.
Wait....I'm confused here....the Aqueon QuietFlow 75 isn't a "small" filter. There's no way I could get that on the 29 alongside the Aqueon QuietFlow 20 that's running on the small tank now.I did suggest running both the new filter & the smaller "old" Aqueon 75 filter on the 29 now so you have more area for BB to grow before you get & set up the new tank, it will help some...
My concern is what to do with these filters when the NEW tank is set up.
You mean test the NEW tank's water every other day?I disagree with Dee a bit, I think 1ppm of either ammonia or nitrite is too high with fish in the tank. You can use Prime to protect them from the worst effects, it supposedly "neutralizes" them_ Dose every 24-48 hours & test!!
As we've all said, there is very little BB in the old tank water but you can use it. & you need to test every other day to know what's going on.
The reason I suggested using the water from the tank they're in now in the 75 when we get it is because I figured it would be less stressful on them in their transition; like, it would be water they were "used to." This doesn't have ANY validity beyond the BB factor?
I'm lost at this point, aside from rinsing and reusing the old media, but I suppose I will try to take what you suggest here and mix it with the advice I got previously from the other two members.The Prime will still allow the "safer" form & harmful form of ammonia to show up on an API ammonia test & it is supposed to keep both from harming your fish. The damage to fish from either can be permanent...& shorten fish lifespans.
IF the 29 is NOT cycled, I would montor it by testing (not fish looking "ok"). Change water, dose "whatever" , changing water will be easier in the small tank. Once the 29 is cycled with 1 (or 2) filters, again, move the cycled filter(s) when you move the fish. You can temporarily hang 1 filter on the tank front if you need to. Not pretty but not for too long either, a couple weeks? Test!
Yes, just clean the old filters' media & you can reuse it. Like Dee said, the BB likely died but the media is still usable.
At the early stages of all this emergency getting a new tank stuff, I wouldn't worry too much about nitrate...but you need to test for that too before long. 20ppm is the most I would consider ok in the long view, some would say 40ppm. 80ppm & your in the danger zone with fish in the tank. In the first couple weeks I would feed lightly to reduce that along with water changes...