Hi! Getting My 55 Gallon Tank Sunday..need Some Tips On What To Do

[shaolin95]

Hi all!
First post here and it is to share that I am thrilled finally getting what I consider a BIG 55 gallon tank.

The previous owner is a very nice lady that seems to know about fish.
She has it very nice and clean.
A quite nice (after I researched it) Fluval 305 and the stand is in perfect shape.
Has a pretty big broken castle decoration in the middle, some fake plants a two real ones.
Some fish as well.
All in all, I think it was a steal for $100.
She did mentioned that I should not put Gold fish with the fish in there because gold fish has some different bacteria or something like that.

In any case, I am trying to get the list of exactly what she has there but in the mean time.
What do you guys think I should do with it on Sunday...do I need to cycle this (whatever that is)?
I am trying to read Freshwater fish for dummies right now but does not hurt to get some quick pointers.

Thanks all!
Pics will be coming up soon with my beloved Pentax K20D

 

[onebto]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264

Good luck, onebto

 

[shaolin95]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264[/URL]

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

 

[mickspark81]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264</a>

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

one thing i think is VERY important..Make sure that the filter that is currently for the tank stays wet. If the filter media (sponge, etc) dries out you will lose any bacteria that is already there. The bacteria also needs oxygen so ideally if poss try to get the tank installed within an hour or two from when the filter was first switched off. Other things can be done if this is not possible like blowing hard through a straw into the media (submerged) or using a bike pump etc

(oh and another very important tip...Under no circumstance should untreated water touch your filter media as this will also destroy the bacteria you need)

Good look and have fun

 

[shaolin95]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264</a>

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

one thing i think is VERY important..Make sure that the filter that is currently for the tank stays wet. If the filter media (sponge, etc) dries out you will lose any bacteria that is already there. The bacteria also needs oxygen so ideally if poss try to get the tank installed within an hour or two from when the filter was first switched off. Other things can be done if this is not possible like blowing hard through a straw into the media (submerged) or using a bike pump etc

(oh and another very important tip...Under no circumstance should untreated water touch your filter media as this will also destroy the bacteria you need)

Good look and have fun

All sounds good but the last part got to me.
How do I avoid this step.....can I buy "treated" water or something like that?

 

[mickspark81]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264</a>

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

one thing i think is VERY important..Make sure that the filter that is currently for the tank stays wet. If the filter media (sponge, etc) dries out you will lose any bacteria that is already there. The bacteria also needs oxygen so ideally if poss try to get the tank installed within an hour or two from when the filter was first switched off. Other things can be done if this is not possible like blowing hard through a straw into the media (submerged) or using a bike pump etc

(oh and another very important tip...Under no circumstance should untreated water touch your filter media as this will also destroy the bacteria you need)

Good look and have fun

All sounds good but the last part got to me.
How do I avoid this step.....can I buy "treated" water or something like that?

Its nothing to worry about. Just buy a bottle of dechlorinator and add it to the tap water before you add it to your tank when you do your water changes.

Maybe i made the above sound alot more difficult than it actually is.

All i meant is just try and keep the filter damp on transit when you go to pick the tank up.

Google "cycling a fish tank" and have a little read or you can read up on some of our forums and all will be made clear.

I wish you the best of luck with your new tank and any questions you may have just ask

 

[shaolin95]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264</a>

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

one thing i think is VERY important..Make sure that the filter that is currently for the tank stays wet. If the filter media (sponge, etc) dries out you will lose any bacteria that is already there. The bacteria also needs oxygen so ideally if poss try to get the tank installed within an hour or two from when the filter was first switched off. Other things can be done if this is not possible like blowing hard through a straw into the media (submerged) or using a bike pump etc

(oh and another very important tip...Under no circumstance should untreated water touch your filter media as this will also destroy the bacteria you need)

Good look and have fun

All sounds good but the last part got to me.
How do I avoid this step.....can I buy "treated" water or something like that?

Its nothing to worry about. Just buy a bottle of dechlorinator and add it to the tap water before you add it to your tank when you do your water changes.

Maybe a made the above sound alot more difficult than it actually is.

All i meant is just try and keep the filter damp on transit when you go to pick the tank up.

Ah ok...I was using an Aloe Vera one (I think) that my current fish seem to like.

 

[waterdrop]

Excellent suggestion by Mick. That is indeed probably the most important immediate tip! I think his worry about the oxygen is a little exaggerated though as they should have a good 5 hours without blowing through any straws before you'd get significant percentages of die-off.

Most people use a picnic cooler to support the transport bags or tupperware. Be sure to capture at least as much air in each fish container as there is water, ideally more. Take not only the water but also the vast majority of the gravel out of the tank before transport as any contents may crack the glass. Take placement and leveling seriously in the new location.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

I drop fish bags into an ice chest, with no ice added, when I transport fish to and from club auctions. To just move a tank and its filter and fish, I would put the fish in a bucket of the water from their tank, pack the filter into an empty bucket and empty the tank. At the new location, set up the tank, fill it most of the way with conditioned tap water, get the filter in place and start a drip for a couple of hours into the bucket. After the water in the tank has mixed well with the bucket water, pour the fish into the tank in its new location. The cycled filter that moved in a bucket will be fine and so will the fish in its care. A 305 should be able to move in an otherwise empty bucket just keep the spills from ruining the car you are moving the tank in.

 

[sanka101]

I would recommend you do some reading and check back to the forum with anything you do not understand.

This is a great forum and everything I have learnt in the past year since I started the hobby I learnt here so here is a good link to a page in this forum: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264</a>

Good luck, onebto

Thanks mate!
Do you recommend any good books as well?

one thing i think is VERY important..Make sure that the filter that is currently for the tank stays wet. If the filter media (sponge, etc) dries out you will lose any bacteria that is already there. The bacteria also needs oxygen so ideally if poss try to get the tank installed within an hour or two from when the filter was first switched off. Other things can be done if this is not possible like blowing hard through a straw into the media (submerged) or using a bike pump etc

(oh and another very important tip...Under no circumstance should untreated water touch your filter media as this will also destroy the bacteria you need)

Good look and have fun

All sounds good but the last part got to me.
How do I avoid this step.....can I buy "treated" water or something like that?

ive made this mistake for years buy rinsing my cartridges out with tap water!! BIGG non kills bacteria any doesnt clean tank