DehvidWV

Been a while since I been on here, I have recently Cleaned out completely a 55 Gallon Tank which has 2 Penguin 300 Filters on it. It had very bad salt build up on everything. I basically just used warm water and a plastic scouring pad (no chemicals). I'm wondering what steps should I take to putting, everything I have in the 29 Gallon into the 55 Gallon. I "can" use the gravel in the 29 Gallon if it makes it easier but I rather start with new gravel.

Fish in 29 Gallon are
3 goldfish (2 Black Moors and 1 Calico)
1 Pleco
3 Corydoras
1 Striped Raphael Catfish

Just trying to avoid stressing the fish out and any spikes that may occur due to the changes in filters and gravel..

Thanks in Advance All

aquarist48

Hello DehvidWV.

Congrats on the tank upgrade for your fish! I think most importantly is to keep all of your filter media wet. This will help you to maintain your cycle. You can use the filter/filters from your 29g on your 55g or you can transfer the filter media into the 2 Penguins. You can place the gravel from your 29g tank in "NEVER SEEN SOAP" nylon hose and place it in your tank. The more you add the better off your cycle will be. By using the nylons you can remove it after a few weeks and it won't keep you from using the gravel/substrate you choose. Leaving the nylon filled hose in the tank for a few weeks will help prevent you from going into a mini cycle, and give your new substrate time to build it's own colony of good bacteria.

Check the pH levels in your 29g tank and compare it to the new water that will be going into the tank. You want it to be as close as possible (it would be better that the new water have a higher pH than lower pH). Sudden changes in pH levels can be fatal especially if it's lowered to quickly.

Also make sure your water temperature in the tank and the new water are as close as possible as well. Sudden changes in temperature can stress the fish and lead to ICH.

I recommend adding 1/2 the water from the 29g tank....add the fish so they don't have to acclimate to a new pH right off the bat. Then add the new water with the chlorine removed. The reason I only suggest 1/2 is because the good bacteria in your tank is not free swimming but attached to all surface areas within the tank (mainly filters and substrate). By only adding half and then using new water it will be like a big water change and not a complete shock to your fish.

I suggest not adding any additional fish for several weeks until the 55g has time to establish more bacteria. Keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels and don't forget your regular water changes. Regular water changes will help you to maintain steady pH levels.

Best of luck and keep it fun! I hope you can share some photos when you're done if you have the means.
Ken

Beth1965

D: Welcome back to FL. I think Ken did a fantastic job with what he wrote.
Do you plan on putting the fish in a bucket while you do the change?
I would use your tank water in the bucket for this if you can.

I think Ken's post should be considered as a "sticky"
Beth

peacemaker92

Hi Dehvid and Welcome back to Fishlore!

I agree with Beth, Ken explained it so well! haha Good luck with the move! Hope to see some pics when you're done

DehvidWV

Thank you for the quick response. So could I just do the following.

A) Fill the Tank with Water
B) Put some gravel in "Never seen Soap" nylons (From Old Tank)
C) Put Media from Old tank in new Tank when I change it (its 2 different type medias and 2 different type filters but I am sure I can fit it in the back somewhere)

Let the setup run about a week watching levels try and duplicate them with other tank

Then when its time to put Fish in... Siphon out about 15-20 Gallons out of new tank (move fish over) then Siphon 15-20 gallons from old tank to top off new aquarium? ... and btw do I just lay the Nylons in the tank?

Thanks for the great Advice I knew I was gonna need the bioload or good bacteria from original tank but wasn't sure if the media alone would cover it.

-DehviD-

DehvidWV

not sure we have a net big enough for the goldfish they are pretty huge lol... so I was planning on putting a bucket tipped sideways and have them swim into it then slowly tip it upright so it is in the bucket (1 gallon ice cream buckets I have collected over time). They may need some gentle coaxing one at a time..

And its spawning time again... so I have 11 new babies in a 10 Gallon behind me as we speak. I just usually donate them to the local fish store. Helps keep em from buying them and who knows maybe do my part in keeping the smaller places open and save people having to buy fish at *aheM* Walmart

Oddly the first 15 I raised were laid all in the plants these were all layed along a log and just laying all over red flat rocks I had in the 29 Gallon...

gmen4life

well make sure all your old media is nice and nasty dirty dont clean it and use your old filter plus your new ones for a few weeks.... panty hose old substrate works well also and keep your eye on your parameters !!!!!!! good luck to you hope all goes well

DehvidWV

just for clarification (never seen soap) Nylons = store bought? right out of the package? or are some of them already washed and packaged?

iloveengl

Yep, that just means fresh out of the store packaging. The idea is you don't want to put any soap or lotions in the water that can cling to used pantyhose.