Tank Swap (Picture Update)

[slaterlight]

Hey,

I'm awaiting delivery of my new Rio 180 tank, I currently have a 64 liter tank and will be looking at moving the current fish and bogwood.

I believe theirs a post about this on the website but i cant seem to find it...

I'm just unsure on how to make the move and what will be best for my fish.

Cheers

 

[Wills]

Hi no worries with the move its quite a simple process, if not a little time consuming.

Start by taking all the decor out, then drain out about half the water but keep the filter on. Catch all the fish and put them in the water you have just drained out and then get empty the tank out. If you are using an internal on the 64 perhaps pop it into the bucket with the fish and keep it switched on, if you can though slow the flow down (some filters have some kind of switch to control the flow).

Then move the new tank into place. Put in the decor and substrate. Add 120 liters of fresh water and let it get to temperature but just do it like you do at a water change to match the temperature.

With the new filter get everything out of the old filter and put it in the new filters chambers.

Then add the fish

I just moved from 240 liters to 500 liters using that method and it has been fine, before that I did the same moving from 125 liters to the 240 liters and before that from 35 to the 125 all using that method and its been fine The important thing is to keep the filter off for as little time as possible. Just keep an eye out on your levels for a week or two after the move and do water changes if they are needed.

Wills

 

[slaterlight]

Hi no worries with the move its quite a simple process, if not a little time consuming.

Start by taking all the decor out, then drain out about half the water but keep the filter on. Catch all the fish and put them in the water you have just drained out and then get empty the tank out. If you are using an internal on the 64 perhaps pop it into the bucket with the fish and keep it switched on, if you can though slow the flow down (some filters have some kind of switch to control the flow).

Then move the new tank into place. Put in the decor and substrate. Add 120 liters of fresh water and let it get to temperature but just do it like you do at a water change to match the temperature.

With the new filter get everything out of the old filter and put it in the new filters chambers.

Then add the fish

I just moved from 240 liters to 500 liters using that method and it has been fine, before that I did the same moving from 125 liters to the 240 liters and before that from 35 to the 125 all using that method and its been fine The important thing is to keep the filter off for as little time as possible. Just keep an eye out on your levels for a week or two after the move and do water changes if they are needed.

Wills

I don't think the filer media will move from one to the other, but can I have two filters running for a couple of weeks?

 

[slaterlight]

Will using two filters for a few weeks help? or placing the media from the old filter in the tank for a few days?

Also seen couple of post suggesting having more than one heater.. would you recommend this?

 

[fluttermoth]

It'll take a good 6 weeks or so for the bacteria to colonise the new one enough to support any fish, and you'll end up losing half your bacteria when you remove one.
It's far, far better to put the old media in the new filter, if at all possible.

It's very good practice to have two, slightly lesser powered heaters rather than one, so it will take longer to overheat the tank if one sticks 'on' (which seems to be the most common way that heaters fail) and it won't freeze if one stops working altogether.

 

[slaterlight]

im going from using a interpet filter with 2 sponges to using a juwel in built filter on rio 180. will the media move?

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm sure it will. You can cut sponges up to make them fit if needs be

 

[slaterlight]

finally got my tank setup! Moved my filter media from one tank to another and done my 1st water test 30 hours after setup. Can you please advise me on my test results anything i should be concerned with?

Water Test Results

PH - 7.6
High PH - 7.4 - 7.8
Ammonia - 0 - 0.25ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 20 - 40ppm

cheers

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Your ammonia should be at 0 as its harmful. I would do another water change and re-test. If its the same, check your tap water parameters

 

[slaterlight]

done water change, after fishing the clown loaches out of the filter. little buggers! Will test again tonight see what i get. Still not 100% sure if im just over compensating when reading the tubes, hopefully i will get a clearer reading tonight.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Lol i thought it might be that, if its 0 its 0 though, i was the same dont worry... If your fish are ok then just monitor it

 

[slaterlight]

Water Test Results

High PH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0 - 0.25ppm (same again still looked a hint green, but defiantly lighter than other day)
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 40ppm

All fish seem to be usual self after the move, made a cave for loaches and blocked off the entrance under the filter where the loaches where sneaking In..

 

[slaterlight]

Just done 10% water change after adding neon tetras couple of days back, they were being chased by angel fish initially but seem to be fine now.

Water test results

High ph - 7.4 (seems to have dropped after water change)
Ammonia - finally looks like 0. But the colour between 0 and 0.25 seem so close I can't fully tell...
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20ppm

Anyone else had issues with jewel filter and hole in bottom which clown loaches can squeeze into? I have placed a flat piece of slate underneath but I don't want the clowns to be forcing themselves past it...

 

[Tizer]

The angels will probably eat them eventually anyway, they have a habbit of doing that.

Good work with the tank, its looking nice

 

[slaterlight]

Thanks for the advice will keep close eye on them. Will post couple more pics in month or so when plants start to grow