just got a bigger tank

[G_Sharky]

hi guys,
I just recently purchase a 75 gallon tank that would replace my current 33 gallon(sig). My concern is how should i do this properly, I was thinking of putting all my fish on a bucket with tank water and an airstone and it would probably take me approx. 3 hours or even more for me to transfer all my gravel and rocks and fill up the tank. Do you guys suggest putting all the water from the 33 gallon to the 75 gallon. I also will be using my old AC300 filter and my concern is would this be enough, i'm planning on buying a canister filter, but it won't be now probably next summer...... My main concern is my fish being stressout and do i need to worry about having an ammonia or nitrite spike???....thanks guys.....any advice would be greatly appreaciated.....

 

[WILDER]

Yes save as much tank water as possilbe, have you a toy plastic container you could put the fish in while you do the new tank, keep filter running aswell, also you will probably need to buy another filter if the one is only meant for 33 gallon tank.

 

[G_Sharky]

Well the AC300 is rated at 300 gallons per hour, with the 75 this filter would be turning the whole water about 3 times or so, i'm consedering the overstocking since i would probably get more fish......

 

[astroboy]

Don't bother saving the old tank water, you're just adding dirty water to your new tank.
Use all old filters (the most important) and if you're not getting new substrate use that. You don't need to acclimate the fish as long as water you fill your tank up with has the same parameters as your old tank.
Throw on another filter as well. Swap half of the media from your old filter with half the media from your new filter to "seed" the new filter.

 

[cometcattle]

I'd definately add another filter.

If you have a Petsmart, they will match their internet prices. You just have to print up the page from their website.

I just added a second filter to my 55g. I paid $35.00 for the Aquaclear 500. The in-store price is about $75.

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1105051065358

 

[TorPeteO]

Hey, whaddaya know? I just did a transfer very similar to your, albeit about half the scale! You can check out how I did it here.

I'd recommend saving the old water. Since your fish are used to the parameters, it would lessen the shock. Since you're going to be adding so much new water anyway, you want to lessen the shock as much as possible.

I'd also say that when you're adding the new water, do it slowly. Once the new tank is in position, pour the old water into it, and then let the fish go in there (as long as the temperature's still good!). Leave the tank lights off, so that your fish can relax a bit more. Then, either through a drip or a continuous stream, let the new water slowly mix in with the old water. It may take longer this way, but it's probably better in the long run. Plus, while the new water's syphoning into the tank, you don't necessarily have to be watching...you can kind of just be keeping an eye on it to make sure nothing spills.

Best of luck!

 

[G_Sharky]

THanks alot for the advice guys..... I'll be doing the transfer this weekend hopefully everything will go smooth...I would love to save most of my water, but i don't have anything to put that in, however all my substrate and rocks will be transferred.....I have african cichlids and i'm hoping that they would prove their hardiness......

 

[isu_guy]

Depending on the substrate I'd just get the 75 set up and leave your 33 alone until it is. Once the 75 is ready then I'd move the fish.

I'm going from a 20 to a 75 very soon. I'm using sand that is $3 for a bag, so its not worth my trouble to try to transfer much.

That and I want to keep my 20 running as well.