Can I Put Fish In Yet?

[ghent_3rd]

I have upgraded from 50 litre tank to a 180 litre, I have put some of old tank water into new tank and 1 of the filter pads from the old aquarium as well in to the new filter. I am assuming this is basically a cloned tank so would I be OK to put 4 neons, 1 garra and my L-number (4" long) straight into new tank??

Reply needed asap so I can get it done!!!

 

[ghent_3rd]

Could someone with a bit of experience please give me an answer on this. I have added the 4 neons because I am pretty sure it will be ok. As of tomorrow the old filter will be going in there full time anyway due to the old tank not having any fish in it at all.

 

[Tasty Wheat]

You should still cycle it before you add fish, itl probably be a lot quicker than starting from new but its still necessary. If you added your fish now you'd run the risk of loosing a few of them, or at the very least permenently harming their health...

 

[ghent_3rd]

even though the old filter with all it's media will be going into the tank tomorrow at about midday??

that is the filter that has been running the old tank for the last 18 months. there will therefore be 2 filters in the tank, one old one and on brand new with some old media in it. There is also some old tank water as stated.

 

[smithrc]

You should still cycle it before you add fish, itl probably be a lot quicker than starting from new but its still necessary. If you added your fish now you'd run the risk of loosing a few of them, or at the very least permenently harming their health...

not true...

If the filter media is mature you need to stock the tank to the same level ASAP
The bacteria needs the waste from the fish to survive. without this the bacteria will die off and then you will need to cycle.

I'd transfer all the fish the filter has been supporting, to the tank at the same time as the filter

ok I see what you've done - there are 4 neons in the new tank with some dilter media... the rest will be moved tomorrow..

They will be fine if the tank is up to temp and the water added was declorinated (might be stating the obvious but I know I've done it in the past)

 

[Tasty Wheat]

I see what your saying, but it would still be doing the equivilent of doing something like an 80% - 90% water change, which people tend to avoid unless something is seriously wrong as it can harm the fish. You may get away with it with no problems, but there is a risk there, id still run the tank in for at least a week just to be on the safe side, your call though

btw in the first post it wasnt mentioned that the existing filter had been moved, just one pad, thats what i was going on, i also understand the necessity for fish waste to keep beneficial bacteria alive...

 

[smithrc]

I see what your saying, but it would still be doing the equivilent of doing something like an 80% - 90% water change, which people tend to avoid unless something is seriously wrong as it can harm the fish. You may get away with it with no problems, but there is a risk there, id still run the tank in for at least a week just to be on the safe side, your call though

btw in the first post it wasnt mentioned that the existing filter had been moved, just one pad, thats what i was going on, i also understand the necessity for fish waste to keep beneficial bacteria alive...

everyone of our tanks has been set up by 'seeding' a filter in an established tank and then transfering it to a new tank. I've not lost any fish (touch wood)

There is very little bacteria in the water - the most important factor is filter media and substrate.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I agree with smithrc, try and get as much of the old mature filter media/sponge as posible to help instantly cycle your new tank . After that leave the tank to settle down for a week or so once the fish are in(try and move them ASAP to the new tank once the old filter media is in there), stock the tank carefully/gradually after that though when it comes to adding brand new fish .

 

[ghent_3rd]

Thanks very much everyone

The WHOLE media and the filter itself will be moving across today to help out the Juwel filter and the fish will be moving aswell. I am going to purchase 7 or 8 new fish also as I am letting someone have 9 fish from my old tank and don't want to lose the bacteria that is built up on the filter.

I will keep all updated with progress in my tank journal

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