Upgrading My Setup

[rossyboy]

To a larger model tank...

Just a quick question, what's the best way of doing this?

I've got a big tank now ready to fill with water.

I keep lake tanganyikan cichlids, i use 2 external filters also.

Should i take 1 filter off and put it onto the new tank for a few days, taking some water from the old tank and putting it into the new 1 also?

How long should I wait etc?

Help please!

 

[kj23502]

I would make sure your new tank is good and rinsed out ready to go. Then get a large food safe container such as a rubbermaid tub and transfer the filters, fish, some rocks, heater and water over to the tub.

Next, transfer whatever you want from your old tank (as far as substrate, decor, etc) to the new tank and put about 50% of the old tank water in the new tank. Then use fresh declorinated water to fill it up. Then put the fish in, filters on, and heater in. A few degrees difference in water temp won't hurt the fish. But a drastic change will. All your bacteria is already in the filters and therefore moved over. You won't have any cycling time provided they are kept running...like in the rubbermaid container I suggested. It's a big job. Probably about half a day or a litttle longer depending how much time it takes to place the rock how you want it.

Should i take 1 filter off and put it onto the new tank for a few days, taking some water from the old tank and putting it into the new 1 also?

If you do that you'll loose half your filtration on the old tank and loose the filtration bacteria in the filter you move over. again,

The only reason to keep some of the old water is for stability for the fish. Some people do 90% water changes in their tanks occassionally

 

[rossyboy]

I would make sure your new tank is good and rinsed out ready to go. Then get a large food safe container such as a rubbermaid tub and transfer the filters, fish, some rocks, heater and water over to the tub.

Next, transfer whatever you want from your old tank (as far as substrate, decor, etc) to the new tank and put about 50% of the old tank water in the new tank. Then use fresh declorinated water to fill it up. Then put the fish in, filters on, and heater in. A few degrees difference in water temp won't hurt the fish. But a drastic change will. All your bacteria is already in the filters and therefore moved over. You won't have any cycling time provided they are kept running...like in the rubbermaid container I suggested. It's a big job. Probably about half a day or a litttle longer depending how much time it takes to place the rock how you want it.

Thanks for that quick reply there.

And that's great news, I have a weekend off work

So it's as simple as that? No need to cycle the new tank etc? Both externals are established so should be fine.

My only concern really is the water needs to be hard for the cichlids... should I go ahead and transfer a bit more than 50% over or will that be ok?

thanks again

 

[kj23502]

If it gives you piece of mind you can transfer more water over. I was suggesting that to give a nice water change for your fish...which is essentially what that is You can add more of the old water and it'll be fine too

 

[rossyboy]

If it gives you piece of mind you can transfer more water over. I was suggesting that to give a nice water change for your fish...which is essentially what that is You can add more of the old water and it'll be fine too

Excellent. Thanks very much for that

 

[kj23502]

Your welcome

p.s. Please post some pics of the new tank over in the African forums