Hi there , I have a tank which I need to sell and move my fish into my old tank. Could I take my old filter and gravel out and put into new tank and put all my fish straight into the new tank ? Would there be any cycling involved in the new tank ? Thanks a lot .
Swapping Over Tanks , Cycling Question.
- Thread starter Gooneruk
- Start date
Aquascaper
Fish Aficionado
The filter is the part that is cycled, not the tank, so moving the filter and fish to a new tank should not cause any issues at all (at worst a small mini-cycle).
Your filter is set to deal with your current bioload so as long as you don't add more fish straightaway there will be no change as the volume of water does not factor into it.
Also, you don't necessarily have to move the gravel as the amount of beneficial bacteria on it is inconsequential so you could change the substrate when setting up the new tank without issue.
Easiest way would be to set up the new tank with new substrate and the decor, temperature match it to the old tank, check parameters are identical to the old tank, move the fish over then the filter and you're done
Your filter is set to deal with your current bioload so as long as you don't add more fish straightaway there will be no change as the volume of water does not factor into it.
Also, you don't necessarily have to move the gravel as the amount of beneficial bacteria on it is inconsequential so you could change the substrate when setting up the new tank without issue.
Easiest way would be to set up the new tank with new substrate and the decor, temperature match it to the old tank, check parameters are identical to the old tank, move the fish over then the filter and you're done
No cycling needed as you have a mature filter that is matched to the bio-load of your existing fish. One thing that is important tho, there is likely to be alot of detrius in the gravel, this needs a good clean. I would try and keep as much of the water as you can, pop the heater in the bucket with your fish whilst you do the change over. Do your prep as the quciker you can do the change over the better. Now, once you are happy your gravel is clean, half fill the tank, add decor and plants. Finish filling up the tank and then, if it needs more water (taking into account what is in the bucket with the fish) match the temp to that of the bucket. Install the filtration, get that working, add the heater and fish and all should be well.
Aquascaper is right regarding the substrate, however I would do the filter first. The fish are in a settled enviroment in the old tank, moving causes stress. Messing around installing a filter only adds to this. Also, if you have any problems, adjustments etc, they are better sorted whilst you're fish aren't in the tank IMO.
Aquascaper
Fish Aficionado
Why do people insist on saving old tank water? It has no beneficial bacterial content but will contain Nitrates (and possibly ammonia/nitrites) plus suspended detritus from disturbing decor, etc. so why keep it?
There's also no reason to stress the fish by moving them to a bucket during the transfer. If the OP wants to save the old gravel this can be cleaned and added after the fish, etc. have been moved to the new tank if really desired.
There's also no reason to stress the fish by moving them to a bucket during the transfer. If the OP wants to save the old gravel this can be cleaned and added after the fish, etc. have been moved to the new tank if really desired.
Quite simple mate, and nothing to do with bacteria (didn't see any mention of that in my post??). It saves a long acclimatisation process, possible stress from ph shock and so on. Are test kits avaliable? Is the hot water from a storage tank? Sorry, but who does a 100% water change? IMO it is safer to use existing tank water if it is there, simple as that, common sense.
Aquascaper
Fish Aficionado
Well people doing fish-in cycles sometimes need to do almost full water changes, people removing toxins, removal of medications....
Anyway, I agree if you can't match the water (which was stated in my first post) then using as much water from the old tank will help reduce shock but why suggest putting the fish into another container? Why not drain enough water out of the old tank to still allow them to swim, fill the new tank with that water and move the fish directly into the new tank then move the last of the water. Much less stress for the fish not having to be caught twice and moved into two different environments.
Right, Mr Aquascaper, lets clarify this lol. Nothing wrong has been said. I went along with the question originally asked, i.e. moving fish/gravel and cycling so my answer was constructed around that, explaining how to approach that scenario, hence the fish needingto be moved out into a container. Using new substrate ofcourse means the fish can simply be moved across when their new home is ready. P.s could you give me your insight into my post in plant chat "plants made easy" please. Thanks
Aquascaper
Fish Aficionado
I merely asked the question why people insist on keeping old tank water, pointing out there is no benefit to the filtration in case that was the reason, and that as long as the new water is matched to the old tank there's no point. If the new water cannot be matched then I agree using as much of the old water is a better option and offered a different procedure for the transfer.
You mentioned causing as little stress to the fish as possible, IMO moving them to a bucket whilst spending a few hours setting up the new tank will stress them out far more than simply moving them from one tank to the other, albeit bare bottomed while the subsrate is changed, hence my alternative solution offered.
I was under the impression this is a discussion forum not a forum where you're right and everyone else is wrong. It is ultimately up to the OP as to the procedure they opt for once given different opinions in the form of replies.
You mentioned causing as little stress to the fish as possible, IMO moving them to a bucket whilst spending a few hours setting up the new tank will stress them out far more than simply moving them from one tank to the other, albeit bare bottomed while the subsrate is changed, hence my alternative solution offered.
I was under the impression this is a discussion forum not a forum where you're right and everyone else is wrong. It is ultimately up to the OP as to the procedure they opt for once given different opinions in the form of replies.
now you're arguing for the sake of it, or that's how it is coming across. Not for one minute did I even intimate the water was being kept for any bacterial/filtration benefit. The question was about, as just pointed out, moving gravel fish and filter to a new tank. I gave my opinion on how this could be done, and it certainly wouldn't take a couple of hrs as you suggest. I also agreed with you that adding new substrate would be a good option. Take a closer look over the posts, it's certainly not me trying to prove myself right, I am just offering my opinion. Closing note from me on this is that am no expert, I offer my advice from experience and am always open to others ideas. In this instance I chose to focus on the question that had been asked, that is all. I follow your replies with interest aquascaper and have no reason to get into a "you're wrong and am right" type of discussion, no point and not what am about. So, friends??
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