Problem and Solution...

[StingrayKid]

Well, I've been off the fish forums for a long time doing this and that... to put it simple. Fish tanks have taken a hit from my absences, class, and work. I just got back from dive trip to find my Green Severum had died in my 55 gallon, and took the tank with him. All my tanks were being fed while I was gone, plus I had done all the cleaning and chemical work. I was told that he was fine the day before we got back so, he must have gone the night before we got back. Anyway, the whole tank smelt like a sewer... My two Clown Loaches and Spotted Rapheal catfish survived. Luckily, I did not stock the tank with any more fish. But, the thing is, this had happened before to me. I left for a few days, did the proper matience, and something died, causing the meltdown.
So, after seeing this, I immediately took the dead fish out of the tank, along with the three survivors. They are in my 30 gallon with the rest of my community for the next day or so.

Heres the solution I'm thinking of:

I drained the tank and removed all decor. All thats left is to remove the equiptment (canister filter, crappy heater(replacing), and lighting. And, the substrate. The tank will be totally broken down and cleaned.
Now, I will use sand for a substrate to make a natural look. And, we are going out to get some rocks from the rock store... yes there is such thing... near where we live. They sell rocks for gardens, yards, home, etc. I will also e adding wood later on.
So now, that the decor is set up, and I have the equipment already (need to replace heater). Now thats left is my real problem....

*takes long dragged out breath*

I decided to transform my 30 gallon community into a 55 gallon community. I will be moving the 55 gallon up to my room, and taking the water from my 30 gallon and using it for my 55 gallon, so we have some mature water (IE bacteria). And all the inhabitants will be in large bins for the construction. So, the filter from my 30g and some decor/substrate will going into the 55 gallon right away, giving bacteria to the tank. So hopefully, the inhabitants can go in as soon as possible. Lots of mature things will be going into the tank.

So the question:

Will this work out? I need some opinions here, maybe some thoughts... I'm really stressed here and have a cold.. Feel bad for me. Thanks for reading my.... draggged out... post!

 

[MasterP]

sorry about the death. sounds like a good idea. Is your filter for tyour thirty gallon big enough. or you can get a bigger filter and switch the media. Good luck

 

[StingrayKid]

sorry about the death. sounds like a good idea. Is your filter for tyour thirty gallon big enough. or you can get a bigger filter and switch the media. Good luck

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I'm going to use the filter in the 30 gallon to just help cycle the tank out. I have a FluVal canister filter as the main one.

 

[fatguppy]

This is more or less what we did when we upsized (dunno if that's a word!)

It worked fine although after about a week we got a mini cycle and the ammonia and then nitrItes peaked a bit. Nothing major but higher than zero. We simply went through the partial water change routine for a couple of days and it was fine. So just so you're aware that you need to keep a close eye on parameters just in case. Good luck!

 

[StingrayKid]

Thanks. We're doing pretty good now. I got the tank cleaned out and its ready to be moved with its stand. It will be set up by the end of the day. My friends coming over to give me a hand, so it should be easy.