New Bigger Tank

[methodmza_uk]

hi guys, i recently bought a 2nd hand tank. I was thinking of having some cichlids in there but its just a bit too small so going with something else.

Now i wanted to have sand instead of gravel in this one, for a bit of change as my other is gravel.
Im note sure how to go about setting up a sand tank, what sand to use, how much sand and how to get it cycled.

The tank i bought was running for 3 years and was drained about a week ago, would there still be some bacteria in the filter if i got it set up asap?

The tank is a Juwel 96 i think. 3 Foot wide, 96 litre/25 UK Gallons. Right bargain as well it was!!

Cheers guys

 

[demonmagus]

there will not be any bacteria left, also, how much was the tank?

 

[methodmza_uk]

Didnt think there would be, better start again eh.
The tank was £40 with everything needed. Please tell me it was a bargain, hehe!!

Anybody any clues about the sand issue? Thanks guys

 

[demonmagus]

that's a good deal btw

you can use play sand designed for children, or silica sand from the LFS, play sand is great value, 25kg for £4, whilst silica isn't.

depth of sand, same as depth of gravel, 1 or 2 inches I think, but you may need to get malaysian trumpet snails to stir the sand so you don't get poisonous gas forming!

by cycling you mean this?:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

edit: spelling

 

[methodmza_uk]

Ah im glad it is a good deal. Its a Rekord 96 apparently. Just checked it online. Going for £120 brandnew so im happy. Got 2 tanks now, woo hoo!! So addictive this hobby.

Yeah fishless cycling, did it with my old one but it took ages, is there a way i can integrate some bacteria from my current tank to the new one to speed it up?
I read that i could use some of my filter media, with some of the water and put some of my gravel in a net and put it in there. Is this true or am i mad?

 

[demonmagus]

oh yeah, I forgot you had another tank, you can do the thing with the 'old' filter media. Just don't forget to leave some

also, stock slowly anyway

 

[methodmza_uk]

Cool will do, how long will that take to then? Is it pretty much instant or not?
Will stock slowly too. thanks

 

[QuotheRaven]

well this is just my first and only experience in Cloning cycle it didn't work at all HOWEVER the filter used to transfer to the 32 gallon was from a ten gallon and was only in for 2 months so that could be the reason

 

[demonmagus]

I think it is basically instant, yep

 

[flumpit2]

hi,i recently cloned a tank for my 11 year old sons bedroom.what i done was have the actual filter for the new tank running along side my filter in my tank.i also put some of the rocks,ornaments & sand&gravel (he wanted both) in my tank for about 2 weeks.then i transfered it all to his tank (with some of my tank water aswel) & fully stocked it all immediatly (or the bacteria will start to die off).he only had a group of white clouds & pepper corys tho.i tested the water daily for about a week & he had no mini cycle of anything.

dont forget tho that i was cloning from a big tank to a smaller tank which means that cus iv got more fish than he could have in his small tank there was more than enough bacteria in the filter to cope with the amonia from the few fish hes got.

if it was me & i was cloning from a small tank to a bigger tank then i would only add some of the fish immediatly,then add the rest slowly so it doesnt create a mini cycle.

when i asked about cloning a tank some people reccomended fully stocking while other suggested stocking slowly so i think its personal preference.

youl love the sand bottom,its so much easier to keep clean as you can see where all the poop is etc.mine is only half an inch deep tho to stop anerobic pockets forming.

hope this helps. shaz

 

[methodmza_uk]

Cheers for advice guys.
I cant run the new filter along my old one as its glued in, in the Juwel Tank. I will though transfer one of the filter pads, some of the water and some of the gravel to start the bacteria off.

Will then stock it asap. Just need some ideas of fish now. Thanks a lot guys