Upgrading My Tank - Do I Need To Cycle?

[Sushii72]

Hi everyone I'm new to these forums and I need some advice.

I've upgraded my Fluval Edge (I know, I know...please don't crucify me) to a Roma 125. It's all very exciting and now that I've added decor it's looking very pretty indeed. However, I have a few questions:

The Edge's media, but not its sponges, can be transferred to the Roma's filter - if I transfer the media and the plants I have in the Edge will this be sufficient to allow me to move my fish in to the new tank little by little in the next week? The Edge has been with me 10mths so is cycled.

I set up the tank on Monday and transferred the media (but not the plants) yesterday. I'm now worried that the bacteria on the media I swapped will start to die in the new tank as it has nothing to live on until I transfer the fish. Is this the case? I was going to wait about a week before moving the fish in, will this be bad for the bacteria on the media?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice

 

[minnnt]

Welcome to the forums!

Is there anyway at all you can cram the filter sponges into the 125's filter? Is it a Fluval U3 filter? I would be tempted to try and squeeze it in somewhere.

And that is a very nice upgrade!

 

[fluttermoth]

You need to move the fish over now, as they're now in an uncycled tank, and the bacteria will start to die off with no ammonia to eat. Just make sure you keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels for a few days in case of a mini cycle.

 

[Sushii72]

You need to move the fish over now, as they're now in an uncycled tank, and the bacteria will start to die off with no ammonia to eat. Just make sure you keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels for a few days in case of a mini cycle.

Thanks for the quick responses. Oops I wish I'd waited abit before I transferred that media as the new tank is still a tiny bit cloudy. How long can I leave it before the bacteria die?

The fish are ok in the Edge as I left the sponge and carbon filter in. So it's just the bacteria in the new filter I'm stessing about

 

[minnnt]

Did you dechlorinate the water before adding to the new tank? If so the the bacteria will be fine and will soon start to get working. Have you got a test kit?

 

[Sushii72]

Yes I declorinated on Monday. Yes I have test kit. When I tested the water tonight PH 6.8, NitrItes 0, NitrAtes 0.

 

[minnnt]

I would be tempted to add them steadily over the next day or two, which should help the filter deal with the extra bio load.

 

[Sushii72]

Oohhh I'm really nervous about moving them over - the tank is still only the slightest bit cloudy now, you can just see it where the light hits the water, what is this likely to be and will it be detrimental to the fish?

Also...and I'm a bit embarrassed to ask this..... but if I move thwm in like two at a time won't the fact the first two will be on their own in a big tank really freak them out?

 

[minnnt]

lol, it's good that you're asking.

The cloudyness shouldn't do any harm to your fish. And no the 'big' tank won't freak them out. It's not as big as the river...

 

[Sushii72]

lol, it's good that you're asking.

The cloudyness shouldn't do any harm to your fish. And no the 'big' tank won't freak them out. It's not as big as the river...

Thank you. Really appreciated. I've already cycled one tank and thought I knew what I was doing, but then this change over has presented a whole new set of ... 'challenges'

 

[minnnt]

Stop worrying so much. Your fish will be fine if they're fit and healthy. If you are getting reading of 0 then your tank should be ok. Add a couple then check the stats an hour or two later to see where they're at. It may benefit you to do a 10% water change at this time too just for piece of mind.

 

[Sushii72]

Stop worrying so much. Your fish will be fine if they're fit and healthy. If you are getting reading of 0 then your tank should be ok. Add a couple then check the stats an hour or two later to see where they're at. It may benefit you to do a 10% water change at this time too just for piece of mind.

You're right. And thanks for the advice!

 

[minnnt]

No problem, hope it all goes to plan. Keep us informed and don't forget to get some pictures up!! What are you doing with your edge? Planted shrimp tank I reckon!!