Best Way To Upgrade Tank

[dave_m13]

Hi All

I am going to be upgrading my 200ltr tank to a 400+ ltr tank in the next 3-4 weeks, its on order. So I am after some advise on the best way to go about this.

I will be using all of the existing filters and water so that I will not have to mature the tank again but I also would like to add Sand, maybe put gravel one end and then sand the other. I know that 2 substrates may mix over time but I do not mind about that and may try using a small divider of some sort if an issue.

Does anyone have a recomended way of going about this, what to do in the first instance. Would like some opinions

Many Thanks
Dave

 

[breezer40]

Add your sand, gravel and any decorations you want in there. Add as much of the old tank water as you can and then top up with clean water. Run old filters on new tank for 30 mins then add fish.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The sand will definatly mix with the gravel, the gravel will sink to the bottom while the sand will stay on top and it won't take long for it to become like that. If you use sand, make sure to wash it thoroughly by filling up half a bucket with sand and letting the water run in it while it overflows while stirring the sand up- the cloudy dust particles will get spilled out of the bucket while the nice heavy stuff will stay at the bottom; this process will help prevent the tank going cloudy when you put the sand in.

 

[dave_m13]

Thanks

If I only want to add sand and not the gravel from the existing tank, am I going to have issues with cycling again or should I have enough bacteria etc already in the water and filter.

 

[breezer40]

As long as your existing filter is fully mature and you add the water from the old tank you should be fine.

 

[fatboybaby]

As long as your existing filter is fully mature and you add the water from the old tank you should be fine.

hmm, from what i've heard you can start a mini cycle if you're not careful even if you have added the existing filter and decor. why not leave the gravel in a pair of tights for a couple of weeks on top of the sand to help all the bacteria move house?

 

[Jules H-T]

This is how I did it recently. Were I to do it again, I would essentially do the same thing.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101203

Jules.

 

[breezer40]

As long as your existing filter is fully mature and you add the water from the old tank you should be fine.

hmm, from what i've heard you can start a mini cycle if you're not careful even if you have added the existing filter and decor. why not leave the gravel in a pair of tights for a couple of weeks on top of the sand to help all the bacteria move house?

Never happened to me and I have moved a few in my time but the gravel idea is not a bad one.

 

[dave_m13]

Thanks very much for the information, I know all this will come in handy when I get the new tank. I think I may add the gravel to tights for a couple of weeks, as I would prefer sand this time and have sand in my other smaller tank its much easier when doing water changes.

Thanks
Dave

 

[dave_m13]

Just another quick question, would anyone recommend adding flourite to the sand or another nutrient based substrate that can be mixed with sand

Thanks