Upgrading A Tank

[Narny]

Hi,

I've been given a big tank (40 Gallon), and i'd like to upgrade my 90 litre tank i have at the moment. The problem is i'm short on space, and i need to put the new tank immediately where the old one was. And here comes the problem. I can temporarily set up the old tank somewhere (where yet i don't know but it's theoretically possible), but i need to make sure the 40 Gal goes in it's permanent home before i fill it (for obvious reasons). This also involves moving my 90 litre Juwel tank (with fish in it i presume) out of the way so i can put the new one in place. I know i'm going to have to take out water in order to move it, it may only be 90 Litres but it's darned heavy.

My old tank :

Juwel Rekord 96
1 * Betta
2 * Discus (1 large turq about 4 inch, one small red tiger about 2 inches)
1 * Marble Angelfish (about 4 inches)
5 * Harlequin Tetra
3 * Black neon tetra
5 * Neon Tetra
7 * Rummy Nosed Tetra
1 * Gold Emperor Plec
1 * Chaffinch Tetra (He hitchhiked with the Rummy's)
1 * Freshwater Minnow (Hitchhiked in with the neon's)

So, how do i go about doing all this without killing my fish? I've had em for over a year now and i'd be gutted if i lost any. I'd like to add more discus, and possibly a Zebra Plec. So a bigger tank is a must.

My plan is :

1) Take out lots of water from old tank, store in buckets or bath.
2) Move tank with fish in it to new location (floor probably)
3) New tank in place. add gravel from old tank
4) Add water from old tank and top up with RO or Dechlorinated tap.
5) Add decorations from old tank (also helps with nitrification and cycle)
6) Add rest of water and fish
7) Pray !!!!!

Does this sound ok???
Anyone with better idea's???

Remember i have to move old tank and put new one in place. I do not have room to put new tank somewhere else.

Cheers

Ade

 

[Narny]

Not anyone??

Surely someone has upgraded before ???

 

[Arfie]

Patience, it's a forum, not a chatroom people will help when they see your topic.

Your plan sounds OK to me, with 2 exceptions:

Move your fish into the buckets with the tank water as they will be OK for a short while and completely empty the old tank, each litre of water weighs a kilo, so even a small amount in the bottom, along with gravel could split old your tank when it is lifted

I would also transfer your old filter over, if you'd not decided to do that. Even if you have a new one it will have no bacteria in it, so run both together for a few weeks whilst the new one is getting bacteria in it, the old one will keep your fish alive.

I wouldn't add any new fish for a few weeks either.

Good luck

Arfie

 

[Narny]

Yeah no new fish is a must, i'd allready decided to run the new one in for 3 months minimum.

My old filter is actually attached to the tank, it's a juwel rekord 96. I spose i could remove the filter media and either stuff it in the new filter (not decided which one yet) or just submerge it and make sure it's secure at the bottom of the tank. Good point , had thought of that. Just was'nt sure i could just chuck the media in without making a big mess of things. They're pads by the way, not loose substrate so i may be ok.

 

[aloaring]

I will have exactly the same problem when i get my stand. My plan was to put tank water and fish and filters into buckets move old tank and put the select few fish (My sleeper gobies) and some old tank water in there. Then set up the new tank (i've already had the filter for this running in one of my tanks so as to build up beneficial bacteria) then put in old tank water and the rest of the fish! Sounds simple don't know whether it will be!

 

[Narny]

lol yeah it does sound simple... In practise it's allways a different matter hehehe

 

[Arfie]

Hi Narny

I also have a Juwel, so I know just what you're talking about, the other option then is to do what I am doing right now to prepare a new tank.

I am running the new filter in my Juwel along with the juwel filter (tank is sparkling ), have been doing this for about 2 weeks and will do for another 2 weeks or so. I will then move it into my new tank already loaded with bacteria.

Perhaps if you can put your new tank away for a month or so (difficult I know) you could also do this.

Once you get a new filter, you'll know whether you can add additional old media to it, I have a Fluval and could put one Juwel pad in it, though it may need trimming, along with a Fluval pad instead of 2 new fluval pads.

HTH

Arfie

 

[Narny]

I think it's a fluval filter that's coming with the tank.

I'll trim one down underwater and insert it (snicker).

Cheers

Ade