Setting Up A New Tank

SchottayB · Oct 14, 2009

Hi guys, I have had a fish tank setup now for 16 months(ish) ... i'm just wondering, rather than doing a fish-in or fishless cycle... can i....

Setup a brand new tank, new gravle, plants, wood etc...

and cut some of my sponge out my 16 month old tank and place it in my new tank, then the new sponge from my new tank put into my old tank.

If you understand that, would this method work? If so what percent of my sponge filter can I cut away from my 16 month old tank? 50%, 30%...? to put into the new tank.

The new tank will be for shrimp only if this helps.

Thankyou.

Scott

............P.S Or could I get some new sponge, and place this in my 16 month old setup (stick it to the glass?) for a while then take it out and put it into my new fish tank?

If I could... how long does this take? Let me know whats the best way to go arround this... thanks!

fatheadminnow · Oct 14, 2009

Either way will work, but the first method will cycle your tank faster. You want to remove no more than 1/3 of your current filter media from your 16 month old tank.

-FHM

jourdy288 · Oct 14, 2009

Right, pulling out too much media will remove a pretty good load of bacteria from an existing tank, putting you in hot water.

SchottayB · Oct 15, 2009

Hi FHM, Long time mate

... my tanks all up and running with no problems at all thanks to you hehe!

About the new tank... 1/3 of my old media, will this be enough to put in the new tank and add cherry shrimp straight away? My 16 month old tank is 65Ltr, new tank is 32Ltr if this helps.

Thanks for replys

Scott

fatheadminnow · Oct 15, 2009

SchottayB said:
Hi FHM, Long time mate ... my tanks all up and running with no problems at all thanks to you hehe!

About the new tank... 1/3 of my old media, will this be enough to put in the new tank and add cherry shrimp straight away? My 16 month old tank is 65Ltr, new tank is 32Ltr if this helps.

Thanks for replys

Scott

Hows it going SchottayB!

That should be enough, yes. However, if you feel a little unsure about it, why not do a little fishless cycle and see where you are at. Just does up to 4-5 ppm of ammonia in your new tank with the 1/3 of mature filter media from your other tank, and check in 12 hours or so. If, not, I am about 99% sure you eill be fine for just adding shrimp. Maybe don't add all the shrimp right away. Just add a few, check the water parameters and see where you are at. If the water is good, (Ammonia and nitrite are at 0 ppm) then go ahead and add more shrimp. :good:

-FHM

mattlee · Oct 15, 2009

if you do just add a few shrimp then dont leave it too long before adding the full stock as the bacteria will slowly die off even in the tank if there isnt enough ammonia to keep it going. shrimp dont have a massive bio load on a filter but do prefer a mature tank :good: