New 125 Gall Tank Coming

[Bex]

Hello!

I am getting a nice big tank in about 2-3 weeks, upgrading from 30 gal to 125 gal

Just wondering what is the best way to cycle it? I want to spend a couple of weeks planting it and designing it to get it just right. Should I gravel, fill and plant and put the new filter media in my 30 gal for a couple of weeks? I have heard about hanging gravel from my other tank in a stocking and putting in the new tank also?

The new filter sponges are huge compared to my 30 gal internal filter so how would I keep them in there for a couple of weeks without taking up too much space?

All suggestions would be great!

 

[Ginge]

Hello!

I am getting a nice big tank in about 2-3 weeks, upgrading from 30 gal to 125 gal

Just wondering what is the best way to cycle it? I want to spend a couple of weeks planting it and designing it to get it just right. Should I gravel, fill and plant and put the new filter media in my 30 gal for a couple of weeks? I have heard about hanging gravel from my other tank in a stocking and putting in the new tank also?

The new filter sponges are huge compared to my 30 gal internal filter so how would I keep them in there for a couple of weeks without taking up too much space?

All suggestions would be great!

The fishless cycling way.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861 As for the other questions is deosnt really matter. You can ad old graval and squeeze old filter spounges to get it going

 

[Bex]

I wasn't going to cycle with fish - was badly advised to do that with my 30 gal so wouldn't put fish through a second one.

I've read though, that by putting my new filter sponges in my old tank and by hanging gravel in there *gravel from old tank hanging in new tank*, i would get pretty much an 'instant' cycle which would mean that once it is planted, up to temp and sponges are then put in filter, I can transfer the fish straight away? *well after a couple of weeks anyway*

Just need to know if this is true and means I won't have to add ammonia etc and wait until the readings zero out as sponges will already be full of the good stuff?

 

[RipSlider]

Personally, I'm not a fan of fishless cycling. Too much effort and leaves you with a bare tank for too long.

I normally cycle with a few white cloud mountain minnows that normally reside in my 20G. They just get moved for a few weeks into whichever tank I want to cycle, with filter squeezing added a few days later. When the tank has cycled, they can get added back to their normal home again. I guess you could do the same with platys or danio's.

The other way is to get a lump of prawn and wrap it up in a bit of tights material with a ston to hold it down, and just let it slowly break down.

Steve

 

[Bex]

I really don't want to put any of my fish through another cycle!

Can anyone else tell me if what I have said above is right?

 

[jayjay]

wouldn't it be easier to move your fish and the filter from the 30g into the 125g tank at the same time, the old filter can still take the bio-load and you have both the new and the old filter in the tank.

or you could use the new filter on your the 30g tank for a few weeks until it builds up bacteria.

 

[andywg]

If you want any other tanks and already have one, just clone.

Take about 25% of the media from one tank and put it in the new one. that new one can now support 25% of the biomass of the old one (while the old one will have a settled colony which will soon recoup those losses).

Or else, put the new filter on the old one so that a colony isestablished and then gradually stock up. I have cloned 6 tanks so far with no losses.

 

[Bex]

wouldn't it be easier to move your fish and the filter from the 30g into the 125g tank at the same time, the old filter can still take the bio-load and you have both the new and the old filter in the tank.

or you could use the new filter on your the 30g tank for a few weeks until it builds up bacteria.

Brilliant! That would be easier! So once it is planted and I have it how I like, I could just move the old filter and all the fish, at the same time, and not have to worry? When would I know that it would be ok to take the old filter out of the new tank?

 

[jayjay]

andy's way is if you still want to run both tanks i think?

the way i said leave it at least a month i would say just to be sure.

 

[Bex]

If you want any other tanks and already have one, just clone.

Take about 25% of the media from one tank and put it in the new one. that new one can now support 25% of the biomass of the old one (while the old one will have a settled colony which will soon recoup those losses).

Or else, put the new filter on the old one so that a colony isestablished and then gradually stock up. I have cloned 6 tanks so far with no losses.

Good suggestion also, the only thing is, the old tank is an internal filter and I believe the filter box is attached to the tank and the sponges just sit in a little plastic holder inside. The *new* tank is a huge external filter (Rena) and I have no idea how I would put it on the old tank. Can you just sit the sponges inside in a stocking?

andy's way is if you still want to run both tanks i think?

the way i said leave it at least a month i would say just to be sure.

I don't intend to run both tanks at the same time - haven't got enough room. I know a couple of people who will buy it off me.

 

[jayjay]

if you went with putting the new filter on the old tank you would just set it up like you will on the new tank.

my suggestion was for if you don't want the 30g running any more?

 

[MasterP]

If you hang the sponges inside the 30 gallon than i would give it a few weeks. If you transfer the media cartrige than you can switch the fish at the same time. Can't wait to see the tank planted.

 

[Bex]

if you went with putting the new filter on the old tank you would just set it up like you will on the new tank.

my suggestion was for if you don't want the 30g running any more?

Cheers jayjay, we're not gonna have both tanks running, but as we will be selling the old tank, I don't want to cut out the filter box. What's thebest way to do it your way without the filter box and just the filter media?

 

[jayjay]

well stuff all the old filter media in with the new filter media in the new filter. (if you don't have room take out some of the new media to fit the old media in)

sorry if that's sounds counfusing lol

 

[Bex]

If you hang the sponges inside the 30 gallon than i would give it a few weeks. If you transfer the media cartrige than you can switch the fish at the same time. Can't wait to see the tank planted.

Cool, we're going to spend a couple of weeks designing and working out what plants, so I can just hang the new sponges in the old tank for that time and that should do the trick?

Sorry to keep asking q's but still quite new to all this (in case you hadn't guessed!)

well stuff all the old filter media in with the new filter media in the new filter. (if you don't have room take out some of the new media to fit the old media in)

sorry if that's sounds counfusing lol

and add the fish at the same time?