Move to new tank-advice needed

M

mozart

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Mar 29, 2007
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Delawhere?
OK. I am preparing for my first transfer, from my 20G to my 38G. I'm assuming that I:
  • put new gravel in approx 20 lb (top off later with existing suff)
  • fill with fresh water and start-up new filter
  • wait how long_____? then
  • put fish in a temporary container
  • scoop out old gravel into new tank
  • arrange plants and stuff (need advice on transferring live plants)
  • let things settle?
  • put fish in new tank
  • run my old filter in addition new filter, how long_____?
Looking for any advice I can get. Don't want to go through a full nitrogen cycle again if I can avoid it. Thanks!
 
Ok, I would :

1. Move over gravel, other decor I wanted to keep from old tank
2. Fill with dechlorinated water
3. Move over old filter
4. Instantly add fish
5. Put your plants in
6. Monitor water parameters particularly carefully over the next week to ensure no mini cycle/address any mini cycle that might happen

I don't know anything about live plants though. The key thought to keep in mind on the changeover is that you are tranferring pretty much your entire biological filter over with the fish that that filter has maintained, so you shouldn't have much if any cycle problems.

If you can do your planting prior to adding fish but before you get a die off of bacteria then feel free to replant before moving the fish over...I would ask people who know the answer to address the question of how long the bacteria colonies can survive without a food source. I am guessing that you have at least a couple of hours to plant before adding fish, assuming that the filter is installed in the new tanks and turned on.
 
So it is OK to scoop out the gravel with the fish in the tank?
 
Absolutely. You'll be moving the fish accross in short order anyway. Can't see how any harm could result.

If you opt to plant the new tank before putting fish in, leave the fish in their now bare bottom tank with the old filter. Then move over filter, then move over fish.
 
do you want the old gravel in the new tank? moving the fish and filter should be fine. if you want to move the gravel it will be a little harder to do.

if you want to move the gravel out also. i would take the fish out put them in a holding rub. rubbermaid tubs are great for this. scoop out the gravel put it in the new tank switch filter and add fish.

you dont have to move over the water unless you were using something like crushed coral that messes with your ph.

just fill the tank up put the heater on so its the same temp and move everything over.
 
If I don't need the gravel to prevent a cycle, maybe I'll just get all new. Should I just scoop out gravel with plants attached and transfer?
 
well, there is a fair amount of bacteria in/on the old gravel.

if you get all new gravel you could consider putting some of the old gravel into a pair of tights (pantyhose) and leaving it in the new tank for a bit (couple of weeks) to help prevent a minicycle.
 
yeah - even just a handful of the old gravel will help. I "stole" a handful of gravel from hubby's established tank when my was experiencing phosphate block and couldn't move out of the nitrite phase of the cycle. I would really suggest using as much of the old substate as possible.

As for the plants... Add your substrate, fill the tank at least 1/3 full with conditioned water, then carefully uproot the existing plants and replant in new substrate. Remember, if you are going to add the old substrate, leave room for the rizomes to still be above the "ground level". then put a bowl or small saucer in the bottom of the tank and pour the rest of the water on to the dish, rather than onto the substrate, potentially uprooting your plants.
 
Thanks everyone.
 
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