Questions about new tank

[100gw]

So i have the opportunity to get a FREE 100gal tank and base with filter and everything. The only problem is that there are some fish in the tank (8). I was wondering how to go about transporting the tank and the fish, and also i currently do not have a spare aquarium to house the fish in while i cycle the new tank. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Needeles]

First thing would be what type of fish are they? Some fish you can use for a cycle, if they are hardy enough. Do you know what type of tank it was used for, freshwater or saltwater?

As for moving them you could use a large rubbermaid container to move the fish around in. You can pick up a 50g contaner for $15-$20 at a local Wal-Mart.

You will need to remember that it will most likely take about 2 months at least to fully cycle that large of a tank if you do it fishless cycling.

 

[100gw]

Tomorrow i am going to look at the tank and the fish, i know it is freshwater, but have no idea what kind of fish are currently stocked in it. I will definately go with your container idea. Ill make sure to post tommorrow about what kind of fish are in the tank. Thanks for the help.

 

[cajinfry]

Never had to move a tank and I am still a newbie at this but..... If it was a short move I would think you could.....

Remove water into multiple buckets/containers and then move tank add tank water from buckets/containers back in and your done... Then do like a 25-35% wc ... I say this b/c I will be moving my 50g in about 3 or so months maybe and this was my plan....

 

[Lorazoo]

This may be a stupid response, but if the new tank has fish in it, wouldn't it already be cycled?

 

[biogal76]

This may be a stupid response, but if the new tank has fish in it, wouldn't it already be cycled?

I was wondering the same thing. If the tank was cycled in its present location, you just need to keep the substrate moist, and all the filter media. Thats where the bacteria is. If you can take some of the water (hopefully with the fish!), you can add that back in it too. Depending on what those 8 fish are, you might could add more later, like in a couple of weeks...slooooowly.

 

[fish_freak]

Keep the filter media wet during the move. This will preserve the bacteria in it. When you get the tank set up at your house put that same old media back into the filter. You will get a mini cycle most likely a couple of days and then the tank should be good. After the ammonia and nitrite is reading zero you can change the media. Tell the current owner to leave the media in there and not change it anytime soon also.

 

[joylynn]

My two cents....I would put the filter media and the substrate into some sort of container (buckets, rubbermaid, whatever) and keep it damp or slightly covered with water. If you do wind up cycling the tank, you got the tank for free, spend some of the money you would nortmally have to spend on a tank and get Bio-Spira if it is available, that way you don't stress the fish so much. I would only get the bio spira if you get the tank set up and find water params are bad (somehow the bateria colonies didn't survive the move). I just used it cycle my 75G and I am sold on it if you have to fishy cycle.

 

[jennypenny]

Fish (if small enough) can be transported in Styrofoam coolers. If it is a long move an air stone can help. It may also be a good idea to keep the filter running in a bucket while you are setting up the tank. You can't run it in the car, but you can run it while you arrange the substrate, decor, plants, and fish.

The filter and substrate will already have bacteria in them, but some of it could die in the move. You also do not know how much was there to start with. So, make sure you have a good test kit and test the water regularly after setting up the tank. This way if a mini cycle starts you can be prepared to do a lot of water changes and keep those fish healthy.

 

[100gw]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I set the tank up today at my house and the reason i was trying to cycle it was because it was pretty dirty at the guys house i got it from. I replaced the gravel, cleaned the filter, etc... I tried my best to properly introduce the fish in again because i completly changed the water. They appear to be doing fine. I hope they continue to be fine. I am going to buy a test kit tommorow to make sure everything is alright. Thanks again.