Change Of Tank

[Chris Wright]

Hi all,
I'm about to upgrade my Fluval Edge to a wopping 48L Fishbox 40! What is the best way to mature the new tank? I'm not sure yet if the filter medium in the Edge filter will squash into the Interpet filter. Which bit is best to use if it won't all go in, the foam, the charcoal bag or the ceramic rings? Should I try to use a little of the existing sand and water - would this help the maturation?

I was planning to set the new tank up in the garage and feed it ammonia etc until the filter matures, before partially emptying it, bringing it in and swapping the plants and fish. I've got 6 Neons, a pair of Cherry Barbs and about 12 shrimps (I originally had 2 but they have multiplied over the last year). Can anyone see any flaws in the plan or suggest any better ways to achieve the transfer?

Thanks
Chris

 

[KittyKat]

Hi all,
I'm about to upgrade my Fluval Edge to a wopping 48L Fishbox 40! What is the best way to mature the new tank? I'm not sure yet if the filter medium in the Edge filter will squash into the Interpet filter. Which bit is best to use if it won't all go in, the foam, the charcoal bag or the ceramic rings? Should I try to use a little of the existing sand and water - would this help the maturation?

I was planning to set the new tank up in the garage and feed it ammonia etc until the filter matures, before partially emptying it, bringing it in and swapping the plants and fish. I've got 6 Neons, a pair of Cherry Barbs and about 12 shrimps (I originally had 2 but they have multiplied over the last year). Can anyone see any flaws in the plan or suggest any better ways to achieve the transfer?

Wait! Cherry barbs? If you want the best for them, get a 2 ft tank instead (about 64 litres usually) and increase numbers so that you have 2 males and 4 females.

So, here are your options for the filter:
1. Fish-less cycle from scratch.
2. Fish-less cycle with seeding from the Edge using the porous ceramic noodles (this is where *most* of the bacteria live).
3. Transfer all fish and the old filter (not just the media) to the new tank and run both filters for 6 weeks.

Also the activated carbon is useless unless you replace it every day: it is used up in a matter of hours. Best off replacing it with more porous (not all are porous) ceramic noodles. Carbon is only useful in very few circumstances such as removing medication from water.

 

[Chris Wright]

Thanks for the reply. Would it help the cycle time if I took some sand and water across to the new tank too?
Chris

 

[Warehouse]

Thanks for the reply. Would it help the cycle time if I took some sand and water across to the new tank too?
Chris

Only very slightly as the vast majority of the bacteria are inside the filter. Probably not worth the effort for the benefits gained.

 

[KittyKat]

Thanks for the reply. Would it help the cycle time if I took some sand and water across to the new tank too?
Chris

Only very slightly as the vast majority of the bacteria are inside the filter. Probably not worth the effort for the benefits gained.

+1, it's not worth the effort for the bacteria.

On the other hand, if you go for option 3, you should use all the old water just in case your tap water and tank water parameters differ.