FishStix

Yesterday I bought an 85 gallon tank off of craigslist. I'm going to be moving everything from my 35 gallon to this new tank (I'll only be keeping the one tank, calm down you MTSer's :-) ). I plan to do this Saturday and am very nervous about it. Aquarist48 shared Shaina's link about moving tanks (lol, I'm stressed about moving across the room, can't imagine a 6 hr drive in there) and I have some questions still.

Here is a list of steps I made for myself so I have this all straight in my head before I start. Am I missing anything? Have I got this all backwards? Can you help with the questions in bold?

(Note: I'll be using my old gravel but obviously it won't be enough so I'll have to buy some new gravel too.)

1. To new tank, add new washed gravel and fill with 78 degree water (as close to that temp as possible), How much water should I initially put in the new tank, would it be best to only fill it halfway until I can get the old gravel and decor in there or just fill it most of the way from the start
2. Treat water
3. Add new fully submersible heater

Should I do the above steps the night before to make sure I have a good stable temperature?

4. Add some old tank water to bucket(s), put fish in buckets. Should I put my little airstone in there?
5. Move filtration to new tank.
6. Remove water from old tank and move decor to new tank.
7. Move old gravel to new tank.
8. Finish filling new tank with water (Unless I've already filled it all the way from step 1)
9. Add fish to tank, What do I do to acclimate them, do I gradually add water from the new tank to my buckets that have the old tank water?

About the heater: I currently have a Visi-Therm Deluxe Heater for up to 50 gallons. I want to buy a Visi-Therm Stealth Heater but I see they only sell those that work up to 75 gallons. My tank is 85 gallons, so will I need to use both my old and the new heater in this tank? If I have to use two heaters would I still buy the Stealth that works up to 75 or would I need to buy one for less gallons to work with my current heater?

Thanks!!!!

alicem

Hi FishStix
I answered your other post just now and since have found your new one.


1/2 to 2/3 should leave enough space to add any rocks and substrate.
See below and allow extra volume if you use the drip method to acclimate your fish.

Sure I don't see why not. This way you can get your heater set just right too.

That would be fine if you have it.

That would be good. You can drip acclimate them by tieing a loose knot in air line hose.
Let the water drip in and double the bucket volume, while you get the tank ornaments and plants set up. Keep an eye on the water level in the bucket.
To be extra cautious, remove 1/2 of the bucket water after it doubles once and continue dripping until it doubles again.

If the tank is in a room where the temp is comfortable to you then the one heater should be fine.

Also, (and I hate to mention it) have extra towels handy, just in case!

alicem

Craig-D

Answer to first question: You should fill up the new tank completely and let it run for at least 24 hours before adding new stock. Treat the water before adding it, this way you pour it over some of your old gravel/decorations for seeding purposes without killing the bacteria on them. You can do this at anytime of day. Just have the tap water already at the temperature you want. The heaters will simply maintain it.

Second Question: you don't need the airstone in the bucket if the fish are only going to be in there a short while. They should have enough oxygen for an hour or so.

Third question: there is no need to acclimate your fish if the pH, hardness, etc. of your newly added tap water is exactly the same as what they've been living in. I would assume it would be, as you are living in the same place and the old tank was filled from your tap as well. Some people's pH does change from the tap to being in the tank awhile, so you should meausure both to see (mine does not - 7.3 out of the tap and always 7.3 in the tank).

About the heater: You will need to buy another heater. You can get yourself a 150W visi-therm steath unit rated for up to 45 gallons and be all set. Put each on opposite sides of the tank.

gmen4life

ok i agree i would run and treat your new tank for a day brfore anything........i would use new gravel but with old gravel put it in stockings and yo can put it in your tank for 2 weeks maybe 3 in your tank this way new tank will be settled and clear without being disturbed and also you are going to run more filtration in new tank? and brfore you add the filter add the fish so your bacteria has food .... and hopefully your filter is good and dirty with good bacteria on it? i insta cyled my 30 gal this way and let a xtra filter go for 6 weeks in my 60 gal added fish popped in dirty filter and showed 15ppm nitrates the next day ive only done it once but it worked

FishStix

Sorry for making you double answer! I didn't know if anyone would look at my old post anymore so I started the new one with my plan laid out. Thank you so much for taking all that time to help me! I feel a lot better about it all now!

The tank is in our living room which is the warmest room of the house, though we have curtains that block any direct sunlight. My 35 gal stays about 3 degrees warmer than what my heater is set on. In the winter, however, we tend to keep it cold in the house so I'm sure I'll next that extra heater by that time.

I will check the pH levels of tank and tap tonight to be sure of where I stand!

I recently bought new towels for the master bath and have retired all the old towels as "fish" towels...and they will be ready and waiting!

Thank you both so much, I'm more excited than nervous now!

FishStix

hi gmen,

I'm looking into a new filter now but it will probably be a few weeks before I can get one. Yes, my filter is good and dirty! Would it be okay for me to change my carbon though - it's due...or does that hold a lot of bacteria as well?

I think I'd like to use my old gravel for money purposes and plus its only 5 months old. Hopefully it won't cause too big off a mess...

Craig-D

There was no need to be nervous in the first place. Fish aren't that delicate that they can't tolerate a move. All they require is consistency. All they need is that the water where they are going is the same as where they were and that their new home is properly heated and cycled. The move will stress them though, so I'd also advise putting something that restores their slime coat in the bucket and the new tank. This will reduce any possibility of sickness and disease caused by stress. If your carbon is due, go ahead and change it. It does hold bacteria, but not as much as your main filter media, so if the carbon is separately changeable, you won't miss a beat.

gmen4life

yeah i mean your tank may look a lil dirty for a day or 2 but itll clear and you should try to get more filtration mmmmmm canister see them on craigslist used now and again

gmen4life

what filter are you useing again?

FishStix

I hear ya Craig I'm new at this still though (just set the first tank up in March) so I guess that's why I was nervous. Everything has gone so well so far and I'm afraid making such a big change will mess it all up! I've got some Stress Coat + that I can use.

gmen, I have a Magnum 350 Deluxe.
Would something like this make an ok 2nd filter until I can afford something better? This looks easy and I could use some easy!
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=19169

gmen4life

well my opinoin is more is better in my 30 gal it does like 600 GPH and 60 does around 800 and both are crystal clear craigslist i sen canisters there for like 50 bucks a tank that BIG would be nice to have stackable trays for bio rings and all that good stuff

FishStix

Well, maybe my current filter will keep things clean by itself for a few weeks until I can do more research! I'll try to have something else in place before I add anymore fish!

gmen4life

yeah id say so i seen a fluval 304 for 50 bucks a few days ago i almost got it i had to restrain myself so wifey doesnt kill me

FishStix

lol I hear ya.... I still can't believe my husband went along with setting up the 35 gallon, much less making a 3 1/2 hour roundtrip to buy an 85 gallon! I let him pick out the fish (as long as I research them beforehand) so that helps haha.

I'm trying to just buy what I absolutely HAVE to this week to get set up so it doesn't look like so much money I'll work in the other stuff later lol!