Upgrading to a bigger tank

H

Hoosier

AC Members
Feb 25, 2004
31
0
0
41
Altus, Oklahoma...stationed here. Originally from
Visit site
I currently have a 29 gal. tank set up. I would like to upgrade to a 55 or possibly bigger in the near future (but keeping the 29 set up). What would be an easy way to get the new tank to cycle, with all new gravel, decorations, plants, filter, etc.? Would anyone suggest adding hardy fish to help with this? Any info. would help!

Thanks
 
Of course adding hardy fish, as you stated will help cycle your new tank. Also, since you are keeping your old one, I would suggest taking a handfull or more of the gravel from that tank and add it to the new one. The bacteria on the gravel of the established tank will quickly multiply, speeding up the cycle. If you plan to use different types of gravel in the two tanks and don't want them getting mixed together, try putting the gravel in a food strainer or something similar with holes so the bacteria can migrate to the new gravel. Good luck.
 
get biospira. you might have to get it online if theres no big fish stores near you.
 
i upgraded from a 29 gal. to a 70 gal. i got it all ready, plants, substrate etc. when it was ready for fish, i placed some media from 29 into 70, replacing lost media in 29 for new. along with the media transfer, i transfered a few hardy fish into 70 gal, a school of glow lights and and a couple 3-spot gouramies i think.
the lost media in 29 didn't effect water quality because of the reduced fish load. I left the 70 for three weeks, always checking water. then slowly stocked it with my desired fish. then i put the glow-lights and gouramies back into the 29.
 
I guess it depends on whether or not you are planning on moving the old fish over to the new tank. If only some of the fish are movinfg over then you can't take all the gravel and decorations. I would suggest either runnign the new filter on the odl tank for a week or so to get it stocked with good bacteria or else take the filter media out of the old tank and move it to the new filter. The bacteria still remaining int he old tank will keep it from going through any major cycle. But you will have to keep watching the levels in both tanks for a couple of weeks.
 
I am going to transfer some fish to the bigger tank, since the 29 is a little overstocked. I really hate this "Cycling" process. It's a pain in the.... Anyhow, I'll probably wait until my 29 has fully cycled, then get a new filter for it and let the old filter sit in the bigger (New) tank until some of the bacteria will spread. I think I'm gonna try to do a fishless cycle. That way I don't put any more stress on my fish. I think they're stressed enough. Another quick question. When all of you do your water changes, do you guys put the new water directly into the tank or do you put it in a bucket for "fish only" and treat it then put it into your tank? I've been putting the water, which is tap water by the way, in a gallon jug then treating it and then dumping it into the tank. Let me know ASAP if this is wrong b/c I've been doing it like this for the past couple days! Thanks again everyone for all the help you all have given me!!!
 
That's how I change my water, though my tanks are smaller so I use a 5 gallon change bucket. I don't think I would go much bigger that that. Some people use pythons which is essentially a hose that pumps water out of the tank and then into the tank and then they add the dechlorinator. The chlorine won't hurt your fish that fast.


For your new tank, you will need a bigger filter. Though I suggest having 2 filters. A hang on back type and canister are a great compliment. Plus if one breaks you always have the spare. The canisters seem better at bio and mechanicalk filtration. The hang on backs are easier to service and allow for quick addition of carbon if you need it.
 
I'm going to get those filters when I start to set up this new tank. I just got a five gallon bucket to help me with these water changes! I was getting pretty tired of making trips back and forth! I'm still having a little bit of trouble with my 29 gal. It appears 1 of my guppies has fin rot, or the Tiger Barbs have gotten ahold of her tail pretty good. Some of my fish are now starting to get Ick. Do you think it's because of all the water changes, the conditions of the water, and all the stress on the fish. I'm ready for the cycling to get over with already!!!


Thanks Again!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom