Changing Tanks - Best Way?

[**sarahp**]

Apologies in advance - this could be a long post but I want to try and get all the info in here.

Until Jan 16 I was running a large Rena tank, 4ftx2ftx2ft. Everybody was happy and healthy. Then I noticed it was leaking - rapidly. The water was dropping by about an inch every hour. I managed to find a second hand tank the next morning, by which point about 1/3 of the water was all over my floor!!

It took most of the day but I managed to strip down the old tank, move all the sand and ornaments across and refill it with water and fish by the time I started work at 4pm!!

The next morning I got up and I had a few casualties. What I hadn't realised was just how important the bacteria was on the glass, sand, water etc.

I have to get a new tank soon as this interim tank isn't really big enough for Alan my common pleco (he's a stunted rescue but even so he needs more space)

If possible I'd really like to avoid any casualties and do the swap over in the least stressful way for fishes and humans. If necessary I could run the new tank in the garage (ie do a fishless cycle) but it would mean buying extra heaters and filters that would then be obsolete after the change over which seems a bit excessive. I do have two externals on my current tank a Rena XP3 and a Rena XP4 so could maybe put the smaller one in the new tank for a while.

I haven't bought the new tank yet I'm just trying to plan ahead. I was hoping to do it in the next 6 weeks ish before the weather in the UK starts to get colder (having my hands in water, in and out of the house all day in January wasn't funny!) Unfortunately I broke my ankle last week so tank change over is probably delayed for 6/8 weeks - but if I can get an action plan sorted that will at least make me feel like I'm doing something!!

So has anyone done this before and if so what should I be aware of, things needed in advance, pitfalls etc. When I did the change in January I just did it all in a rush - the choice was do it and lose some or not do it lose all - so planning wasn't high on the agenda!!

ETA - I have been looking into getting more live plants (not easy with a common who likes digging!!) for current/new tank as a way to cheer it up but also carry more bacteria from one to the other.

TIA

Sarah

 

[Byron]

I have basically done this a number of times, not (thankfully) because of a leaking tank but just wanting to change substrates or have a new theme.
 
First, you don't want to be rushed.  I now take at least two days with larger tanks, which not only allows time to ensure the filter, heater and lights are working properly, but you can take time to just sit and assess the aquascape and make changes.  You can also move fish over more gradually.  So, this means the fish are in a temporary tank where they will be OK for a few days, or longer--the point is, not in pails and such but in a tank with filter and heater so they are "safe" for as long as it takes.  The present used tank seems ideal.  So the question is, can you set up the new tank when you get it without moving the temporary?  If not, then the temporary tank needs to be moved somewhere other than where the new tank will be.
 
Things you want to have decided include just what you want in the new tank, thinking not only fish and plants, but the sort of aquascape...a stream, lake, flooded forest.  This will depend upon the intended fish, as some have distinct needs that differ from others.  Substrate is very important, as most everything else can be relatively easily changed/replaced, but the substrate is vital to the biology and removing it inevitably means moving all the fish out.  My advice is sand, common play sand.  This works in stream and river tanks, flooded forest and lake set-ups.  Some fish need sand, so you are prepared.  If you decide on a river, such as Central American, SE Asian/Indian, or South American, rounded river rock in various sizes (replicating boulders and pebbles) might be good, or if flooded forest or SE Asian/South American gentle stream, lots of chunks of wood.  These items can be acquired over time before you start.
 
A new substrate will obviously not have bacteria adhering to it, but keep the filter running and move it over from the other tank when everything is done.  Any wood or rock from an existing tank with fish will also have bacteria, as will plants.  You can use a good bacterial supplement, it can't hurt, like Tetra's SafeStart or Seachem's Stability.  Floating plants are a good item in any tank; you don't have to worry about fish digging them up (though some may nibble them), and they are incredible ammonia sinks in new tanks.
 
Byron.

 

[**sarahp**]

Thanks for the advice Byron - much appreciated

 
The only issue I can see is having to move the current tank to accomodate the new tank - it may mean moving the fish around quite a lot but I suppose if I do it slowly over a few days that should be ok. 
 
I think I just got myself in a bit of a state because moving them last time was such a stressful day for all of us but I suppose thinking about it sensibly that is because I was stressed that the tank may stop leaking and just explode so everything was very frantic!
 
I shall be zenful with the next move