My 50 Gallon Tank Plans.

[matt_99]

hi all,

Currently managing a 'fish-in' cycle in a 20 gallon tank, going fine with 6 zebra danios. However, me and the mrs rescued a 4ft 50 gal clear seal cabinet and tank fom a flat clearance. Tank, cabinet, gravel, fluval 2plus filter, heater and various ornamenta. Had been sat going stagnant for 6 months so its had the hot water and scourer treatment, pics to follow.

Plans are to fishless cycle this one over the next week or so, (if i can find somewhere that sells ammonia) then once done, swap the danios over. Plan to add the following, anyone see problems?

5 glass cats
6 colourful tetras.. Suggestions?
6 dalmation mollys
4 small cory's... Suggestions?
2 small pleco's.... Suggestions?

We also both want something different, such as shrimp/crab/newt?

Suggestions?

Thanks all

Matt

 

[Ryefish]

It will take longer than a week to do a fishless cycle.

What are the water stats in your fish-in cycle with the danio's? If its far along or over, you could use the media from the Danio tank in the new one to boost the cycle

 

[matt_99]

Thats the plan... am getting low readings of ammonia, (or have been all along) Doing daily water changes of about 50%.

Higher readings of nitrites the last two days though.

To add to the list above, we also like the red fin sharks bt been advised they are fin nippers... the danios we have are the fan tail / longer tail versions.

Matt

 

[matt_99]

Heres pic's... the 20 gallon doing the fish in cycle...

And the rescued 50 gallon... awaiting more water and ornaments / foliage from the 20 gal.

Suggestions on how best to cycle the 50 gal?

The 20 gal is giving regular low, but not zero readings of ammonia, but not yet nitrite. Do i put the half cycled filter in the new tank to kick start and swap for an unfitlered and put the danios in? Can't work out for the best!

 

[stuuk1]

Hi Matt, judging from you first post and the fact you said 'flat clearance' instead of 'apartment' im guessing you are from the UK!? If so, you can get ammonia from Boots.

P.s. Red tail sharks rule!

 

[matt_99]

yes uk, am in leicester.

been to local boots, admitadly a smaller one, and they said they dont stock it!

Have to try the bigger branch in town....
What do the red fins typically grow to?

Be opk with the fish ive mentioned above?

Thanks

 

[Twinklecaz]

Try Homebase, in the the cleaning bit. That's where I got mine!

 

[matt_99]

Just done a water test in the 20 gal...

Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 1
Nitrate is 50
PH 7.6 (not moved in days)
and the hardnesses are both midscale (not moved in days)

Questions is, do i leave the 50 gal half full to make water changes easier, put the part cycled filter in the 50 gal with the danios, wash the half cycled gravel in the 50 gal and swap the ornaments over, and then continue the fish in cycle now ive started and progress has been made?

Seems most reasonable now, pointless starting a fresh fishless cycle and cycling a seperate tank im going to empty anyway.

 

[waterdrop]

No, you don't want to leave it half full. You need to cycle the filter for the full tank volume you will be using. Besides, you don't want to increase your chances of white mineral deposits down on the main viewing area of the glass!

Its not a good idea to disturb a filter that's in the midst of a cycling process. That might cause a considerable setback to your existing cycle that's ongoing. Instead I would begin fishless cycling the 50G with ammonia and hold out a little hope that if the 20G finishes up nicely that a small transfer from its filter might be possible at a later stage but hopefully while the big tank is still in its cycling process.

~~waterdrop~~