Getting A New Tank

[alexiooc]

So I'm going to buying a new 120 litre tank in the next week or so but before I do I need some help.

At the moment I have a 32litre with 3 platies, a betta and a upside down catfish, so will I need to cycle the new tank completley before adding these fish? or could I add the 30(ish) litres of water thats in my existing tank and run the new and existing filter to and not have any ammonia/nitrite spikes? I know I'm going to leave it a good few weeks to settle before adding any new fish but I dont want to cycle my tank using these fish as I know it can be stressful for them. Please help!!!!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

So I'm going to buying a new 120 litre tank in the next week or so but before I do I need some help.

At the moment I have a 32litre with 3 platies, a betta and a upside down catfish, so will I need to cycle the new tank completley before adding these fish? or could I add the 30(ish) litres of water thats in my existing tank and run the new and existing filter to and not have any ammonia/nitrite spikes? I know I'm going to leave it a good few weeks to settle before adding any new fish but I dont want to cycle my tank using these fish as I know it can be stressful for them. Please help!!!!

There realy is no point in moving across any of your old tank water, the vast majority of our beneficial bacteria live in the filter media. What i would do is move ALL of your current media across to your new filter in your new tank, re-fill with warm, de-chlorinated water then add your current fish. Continue to monitor Ammonia and NitrIte daily for a week or so, just to make sure you have no 'mini-cycles'.

Terry.

 

[Nick217]

I moved all the water over just so its less of a shock to the fish,
Its up to you what you do with the old tank water.

 

[alexiooc]

cheers for the advice! So you dont think I will have to do a full fishless cycle?

Also as I have a betta and a few platies, any suggestions on what fish can go in there and how many? I know snails and frogs can but I really want more fish!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I moved all the water over just so its less of a shock to the fish,
Its up to you what you do with the old tank water.

Throw the old tank water out on the plants, they love NitrAte rich water... both fish and our beneficial bacteria enjoy clean, warm de-chlorinated water. Unless you are managing your PH levels in any way there shouldn't be cause for concern of 'shocking' them.

Terry.

 

[OldMan47]

Alexiooc, you can move fish with their filter to a new tank, with new dechlorinated water, and all will be well. The old filter will support your fish until the new filter is ready to take over. Old water is great for a garden so that is a good way to use the old water as Taffy Apple suggested.