Switching From A 10 Gal. To A 55 Gal.

[Faythee]

Setting up a new 55 galllon tank and wondering how the cycling process will go. My thoughts are to fill it half way first with conditioned tap water, then doing a 50% water change once a week with my 10 gal. and pouring the water into my new tank. Also put some rocks and plants from my 10 gal. in there. I have a Aqua Clear pump on my 10 gal., so I could take the sponge out of there and put it in my new pump (same kind, just larger). Could put an additive in the new tank to speed cycling process too. Do you think this will work, or do I need to do the ammonia thing.

I could move my 2 zebra danios to my new tank and get 4 more to help cycle as well. They have survived all of my other tank disasters and cycled my first tank. Then again I would feel really bad if it shocked and killed them. Are all danios pretty hardy, including the giant danios ?

Any ideas would help. Thanks

 

[jdstephe]

I'm noew to all this as well, but from what I've read, one of the key steps might be to ensure you transfer some of the media from your existing filter into the new setup once up and running and dechlorinated. This should cut down the cycling time dramtically.

Once your new filter is properly loaded with the right levels of bacteria, i.e. you can show that about 3-4ppm of ammonia can be processed back to 0ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrite, you should be good to go.

I'm sure more epxerienced members will comment though - and you'd be better taking their advice

 

[CrashingWaves]

Did your ten gallon tank have a bio-wheel on the filter?

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[shroob]

You could cycle the 55 the regular way (with ammonia etc).
Though if you are planning just moving the same fish from the 10 to the 55, what I would do is simply move the fish, filter and as much gravel over as possible. If you want to add more fish, do it gradyally and monitor the condition of the tank.

 

[Mikaila31]

How many fish are in your 10gal tank? and are you planning to move them all to the 55gal?

 

[Faythee]

Right now I have 2 zebra danios, one dwarf gourami, one opaline gourami, and a pictus polka dot catfish. I have not decided yet as whether to keep the 10 gallon going or not. The catfish will definitely transfer over eventually as he is getting big. The gouramis are sensitive so don't dare transfer them until new tank is perfectly cycled. I am wanting the new tank to be 3-4 angelfish and not sure what else just yet.

I do not have a bio-wheel. My filter has 3 parts, carbon filter, sponge and a biomax insert. It is made by Aquaclear and it made so much inprovement on my 10 gallon that I plan on getting it for the larger one as well.

 

[rabbut]

Right now I have 2 zebra danios, one dwarf gourami, one opaline gourami, and a pictus polka dot catfish. I have not decided yet as whether to keep the 10 gallon going or not. The catfish will definitely transfer over eventually as he is getting big. The gouramis are sensitive so don't dare transfer them until new tank is perfectly cycled. I am wanting the new tank to be 3-4 angelfish and not sure what else just yet.

I do not have a bio-wheel. My filter has 3 parts, carbon filter, sponge and a biomax insert. It is made by Aquaclear and it made so much inprovement on my 10 gallon that I plan on getting it for the larger one as well.

If you are scrapping the 10 gall, move the sponge media, biomax media and fish all at once to the new tank, and it will be instantly cycled for that fish load I you wish to keep the 10 gal going, things get a little more complicated. In this situation, move the biomax to the new filter, and fishless cycle the new tank. Only move a maximum of 1/3 of the existing tanks media to the new if you are keeping the 10gal open during the other tanks cycling.

HTH
rabbut

 

[Faythee]

Below is a pic of the tank I am looking at. She wants $200 USD for it which is a good price and comes with everything. In this case I would I have the gravel and used filter. Only problem is she is selling it with those 2 huge oscars and algae eaters. I don't want those fish.....they scare me ! I suppose I could keep one algae eater, but doesn't it look too big for the tank ?

That or I will be buying a new tank this weekend and have husband build me a stand. Will cost me more than the $200. Will I be safer that way ? The one in pic is 6 years old. Do the tanks seals get weaker over time ?

 

[rabbut]

Looking at it all of the fish in there are already too big for the tank. Most would have to move home. Post in the "buy,sell,swap" section if yo intend to buy, and someone will take them from you. The seal strenght depends mostly on the thickness of glass used, and the way it is fixed at the bottom. If yo can find out the above, I'd be able to guestimate the lifetime of the seals form there. It could range for indeffinately to just about had it, again depending on above.
If the tank is well made, the seals should out-live the time you plan to keep the tank.
HTH
rabbut

 

[Mikaila31]

If the tank is already set up like that, it should be already cycled. I would inspect it, check that the silicon isn't worn down, if it has a brace on the top make sure that it isn't broken, and make sure the tank isn't bowing out. I suggest taking the oscars and plecos and then figure out what you want to stock the tank with, then take the ocars and plecos to a LPS or put a add in the paper. The tank is too small for all of them. Once they are gone add something to keep the cycle going, then go get what ever fish you plan to stock the tank with.

 

[Faythee]

Looking at it all of the fish in there are already too big for the tank. Most would have to move home. Post in the "buy,sell,swap" section if yo intend to buy, and someone will take them from you. The seal strenght depends mostly on the thickness of glass used, and the way it is fixed at the bottom. If yo can find out the above, I'd be able to guestimate the lifetime of the seals form there. It could range for indeffinately to just about had it, again depending on above.
If the tank is well made, the seals should out-live the time you plan to keep the tank.
HTH
rabbut

What do you mean by how the tank is fixed at the bottom ? Is thicker glass better ? We have new wood laminate floors, so this is the part that scares me, a leak while I am not at home

I e-mailed her and asked if she could find a home for the fish first. Like I said those big fish scare me !

Thanks sooooooo much for the help. All of you !

 

[Faythee]

Another question...LOL, sorry.

What brand fish tank is best ? And, glass or acrylic ? Maybe just get a new one.

 

[rabbut]

What do you mean by how the tank is fixed at the bottom ?

A pice of extra glass should be silicone glued (not silicone sealeanted) to the bace piece and the front and reah panes in a tank of that size, to take the pressure off the joints at the bace.

Is thicker glass better ?

In a word, yes. thicker glass means a bigger glueing area, thus less overall pressure on the join to weaken it. For example, my new 4 foot could have been built out of 8mm glass, but the pressure of the water behind it would have caursed the seams to fail within 10years, and it would have looked like a bowfront, due to the weight behind the pane instead I opted for 10mm, which should last over 30 years, and has no visible bowing Well worth the extra £40

We have new wood laminate floors, so this is the part that scares me, a leak while I am not at home

Water from a freshwater tank would only damage carpeting, or wallpaper should it contact it. With a laminate floor, you simply mop it off, and ventilate, and there should be no traces of the mishap

What brand fish tank is best ? And, glass or acrylic ? Maybe just get a new one.

I am unshure of the brandings of fish tanks in the US, or their respective qualitiy, as I am a UK member, but I'm shure other members will be happy to recomend a good brand for you

HTH
rabbut

P.S. glass is harder to scratch than acrilic, bit acrilic is lighter than glass.