Cycling A Already Set Up Tank, Do I Need To?

[Clairel]

Hi

Im going to look at 2 Juwel tanks tonight, and think i will 99% get them both, they are both still set up in working order with fish in there, so my question is this....

If i store the filter media/sponges etc.. in bags with water take them straight home, and fill the tanks with water, leave to get to correct temperature, will they be ok to add fish? Once ive tested the water of course...

I think i will be taking the gravel from him too, or at least i can ask him, if he doesnt want it, as this is a good source for the bacteria too.

Am i right in thinking this??

Claire x

 

[trace1]

yeah pretty sure that would work know it worked on my 3 1/2 foot tank. just make sure levels are ok by checking water hopefully you will get the gravel as well as this is a good source of bacteria. hope you get them they look good in the pics

 

[Clairel]

Thanx Trace,

I am getting excited now lol

C x

 

[trace1]

bet you are i was like that on saturday when i picked my corner tank up. wasn't 2 happy thou when i smashed my fingers on front door trying to get tank in then bruised my legs trying to get stand in or the mess we made of the door frame lol all in all good fun, but its worth it now its sat in the corner cycling
let us know how you get on, what time you going to see it ???

 

[Clairel]

I have to ring the seller after 5.30, then we can arrange a time tonight to go through......

I will let you know how it goes

C x

 

[SkiFletch]

yeah, if you can keep the filter and gravel wet in-transit you should be just fine. make sure you put a similar fish load into the tank that it had before you moved it. You dont want to overwhelm the bacterial filtration, but at the same time you dont want to under feed it Its a tight line to walk

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Clairel

Will you be getting his fish too? If not, SkiFletch is right; you will need to make plans to get some fish in there right away. And, if there are no fish coming with it, be sure to find out what happened to them. If they died, you will probably want to rethink the situation.

Otherwise, if the tank has had occupants right up until the time you get it, the bacteria should survive the move just fine. It's just like if you were moving your own tanks to a new house or apartment.

 

[Clairel]

Yes i am getting his fish too, so i will just put the same ones back in each tank.... and move them round as necessary, as i am not planning on keeping them all, im giving some away, to rehouse my own fish etc....

He is giving me

25 Platies
15 Guppies
3 Clown Loach
6 Ottos
2 Swordtails

I will have to make a note of which fish go where etc, as there are 2 tanks.... Lol

I am definately keeping the Clown Loaches, and Guppies maybe a few platies, someone already wants the Ottos from me, so i will see about what to do, i may give most of the platies to my lfs, if no one wants them, i will keep a few, but not all.....

This will happen over a period of time, so i wont be killing off the bacteria, it will be fine im sure...

Thanx for your advice peeps

C x