Moving fish

[CathyG]

Hi Sharkey I will be happy to start from the beginning, if you tell me where the beginning is!

Do you understand the purpose of bacteria in your tank, and where it is mainly cultured?

It would also be helpful to know exactly what you are bringing (when you say tank etc)

 

[sharky&george]

yea hi cathyg , well i understand that a tank has to have bacteria in it to keep the fish healthy, it needs a balance. I made the mistake with mine of completley cleaning everything when adding new gravel, lost a couple of fish I will be bringing the tank not sure of size and the gravel rocks, complete set up! But wasnt sure what was meant, do you mean to keep the filter in the established tank water?
whilst transporting it

 

[CathyG]

Yes, the bacteria on filter media (the main colony) will die if not kept moist and oxygenated (depending on the length of time the filter is "down") If kept in tank water for a couple of hours, it will stand a fighting chance. If longer than a couple of hours, you should add an airstone to the container to oxygenate it. Note that pure tap water will kill the bacteria outright (well, the chlorine will anyway).

Do you have an established tank at home where you can immerse the new filter media (say in a stocking laid in the tank for a while?). The same can be said for the gravel/rocks etc if you intend to reuse them, keep them in tank water - enough for the transportation if you are ready to setup once you get home.

What you risk is killing the bacteria of the new tank, which will set it into a new cycle.

So here is your priority. The fish will probably do ok if the circumstances are as stable as can be, but they will be stressed (even from the netting etc) The priority is to stabilise them as soon as possible, and that depends on how soon you get their new home established.

 

[sharky&george]

should i do it like this: put the fish into bags, some of the tank water into a bucket with the filter imersed. Get to my house put the filter and rocks etc into my established tank, whilst their in there put the old tank water which is in the bucket into the transported tank add tap water too and put fish into it or should they go into my established tank for a while until the other ones temp is right? Sorry about this i a pain in the **** i know )

 

[CathyG]

It sounds like a plan!

Using the old tank water, and some water borrowed from your existing tank + some tap water (treated for chlorine etc) should set you on your way. Meanwhile your bacteria is being preserved in your existing tank, and you have the bags of new fish floating in your existing tank (with the tops of the bags open and rolled down to allow gas exchange) to bring the temperature of the bags up to ideal!

As soon as the new tank is up to temperature, transfer the filter media and slowly introduce your fish. Keep a close eye on your water parameters for a week or so!

Good luck!

 

[sharky&george]

thank you cathy G very helpful glad you could understand what i was sayin in that last one, i just about did lol. Would you say the fish in the bags would go into the new tank within the hour depending on the temp, what im trying to say is how long can they stay in the bags floating on my existing tank water

I want to ask some thing else too, she also said she brought neon tetras but found them in the filter dead, how can you stop this happening with a larger filter?

 

[CathyG]

They could remain in their bags for anything upto a couple of hours easily, depending on the fish (and size and number per bag...)

I have acclimatised sensitive fish for a couple of hours in a bag, gradually adding a little of the tank water to the bag to get them used to my tank's water parameters.

When I say it depends on the fish, one or two have been a little stubborn and found their way out of the bag prematurely

I would say your primary objective is to get the "new" filter up and running, and the gravel back down, first

 

[CathyG]

Regarding the Neons, it is hard to say without knowing the filter being used....

 

[sharky&george]

ok not sure myself about the filter. Will keep you informed thanks again

 

[CathyG]

No worries, good luck!