Transferring Fish To New Tank - Advice Needed (Stocking)

[PxlBld]

Hi all,

I have a Fluval Roma 125l set up and doing a seeded cycle. I have a Fluva U3 filter and a 4 inch airstone. It is also planted with live plants.

Is it possible to transfer my fish faster from my 64l tank if I throw the matured filter in there for a while? (its the filter that comes with the 64l fishbox - cant remember its specs but it can handle the load).

Also, stocking levels - I think my 64l may be slightly overstocked, I have

1 bristlenose pleco
4 cherry barbs
6 neon tetras
6 harlequin rasboras
4 male guppies
3 platys

Once transferred, I would like to bring my shoaling fish back up to their minimum recommended quantities, but after that, will I have any room for more? According to stock calculators my current stock when transferred will be 19% capacity, but that seems a bit generous.

Thanks for reading, and in advance for any advice you may offer.

 

[the_lock_man]

I'm assuming that the 125 is being set up to replace the 64l.

In theory, you bung all the filter media from the Fishbox filter in the Roma filter, and it is instantly cycled for the bioload that is currently in the fishbox. You could then gradually increase the bioload.

What you couldn't do is to then remove the old filter media back into the Fishbox, and expect the new filter media to cope straight away.

 

[PxlBld]

Hi the_lock_man, thanks for replying

Thats correct, it is to replace the 64l - whether I keep the 64l for future setup I dont know, but there are no immediate plans to keep any fish in there once the current community have moved.

So I dont think there is any space in the new filter to squash in the current media, but if I put the entire filter in the new tank, running alongside the installed one, I could move all my fish over instantly? Obviously a couple at a time, allowing correct floatation time etc.

How long would I need the old filter to stay in the tank, a month maybe, or longer?

 

[the_lock_man]

Put all the existing media in the new filter, and top up with new media. If it doesn't fit, cut it around as necessary to cram it in.

If you run the 2 filters in tandem, it'll take a long time to build up enough bacteria in the new filter to cope when you remove the old one - at least 6 weeks, probably longer.

 

[PxlBld]

Ah I see, okay I will force it all in somehow. Thanks for your advice mate

Still after a bit of advice regarding stocking, see my op, if anyone wants to chip in

 

[the_lock_man]

Ah I see, okay I will force it all in somehow. Thanks for your advice mate