Help With Setting Up New Tank?

[ghent_3rd]

I currently have a Fluval Uno 600 as opposed to the Rekord 60 I quoted in earlier post. )

I am upgrading to a Rio 180 and just want to make sure that I have got my setup totally right before starting to set it up.

1. Put specialised plant substrate onto base of tank followed by either gravel or sand whichever I chose.

2. Decor into base of tank (bogwood, slate, boulders, pipes, plant pots, etc)

3. More gravel/sand to increase depth and landscape if I choose to

4. Add water at optimum temperature half way up tank

5. Plant tank

6. Install CO2 units

7. Put filter media from old tank into new filter to speed up process

8. Switch it all on!!


I will obviously have the heater in and get it set to the temperature that I require, I think I am then going to buy a few danios and maybe some platies to get my tank going a bit quicker. Will it also be possible to move a couple of my fish from old tank straight into new tank seeing as I will be transferring soem of the media, the old tank is going to my Mum and Dad's house and I actually want to keep a couple of the fish, 1 x L205 peckoltia and 1 x Garra species that my 3 yr old little girl absolutely loves!!

All input into this is very much welcome, been keeping fish 2 years now but still very much novice and all advice is well appreciated.

Thanks again everyone for your help in the last 2 years.

P.S how deep should the substrate be, baring in mind I will be putting appox. 1/2" of the Tetraplant substrate underneath gravel or sand?

 

[Durbkat]

Once you place the filter media from the old tank into the new one you can place the fish you want in there right away as this clones the tank which instantly cycles the tank.

 

[onemisterchristian]

If you only put some filter media in, then don't fully load your tank all at once, because you will only be getting some of the benneficial bacteria and it will take some time to build up more. However if the "old tank" media is accustomed to sustaining a large bioload, and you put all of the filter media into the new tank, then you should be fine stalking at a regular rate.

As for the sand question, it's personal preference. I do an inch and a half. Some people do 4 inches. If you go anywhere around or upwards of two be careful, because you will have to regularly stir the sand to make sure that gases don't build up. (you'll see air pockets in the sand). A great way to do this is with mts ( malaysian trumpet snails). I have them in my 60 gallon and they seem to do the trick. Good luck, and enjoy the great fun of setting up a new tank!

 

[ghent_3rd]

Thanks for the advice, I take it all my steps would be correct then as no-one has corrected me on any.