missi

Hi all!

So, it has come time to switch tanks. My 37G has proven to be too heavy for the counter (it has yet to break, but I do not trust it, and we live in an APT), and i just couldn't find a stand I liked, so I used it as an excuse to upgrade! (and I never really looked at stands, just don't tell my fiancee that! lol) I just want any quick tips or pointers on the best way to do this!

I have currently: 37G Marineland Eclipse Biowheel (all in one kind of thing, running aquaclear fliter pads)

Switching to: 46G Bowfront Marineland tank, Aquaclear filter (with stand!)

I am planning on reusing the filter pads (at least one) from the old tank, in the new one, as well as all the old deco (rock/plants) and heater (because who really needs on in AZ... seriously).

My plan was to clean the 25lb of new rock, put it the new tank, put in the air stone and Deco, add water, one of the old filter pads in the filter and let it run overnight and move fishies tomorrow. It will take at least one day for the water to cool off enough that it will not fry my Ottos, because Arizona water comes out of the tap at about 96 degrees... Then I plan to move the fish to a bucket, transfer gravel, and then add fish... Is this a good plan? I haven't done this before! (and I hope to not have to in the near future!)

I would love suggestions! Thanks Thanks Thanks in advance!

jdhef

It sounds like your plan will work, but keep an eye on your water perameters just in case. It sounds like you are in a bit of a hurry (not that I blame you, I would be in a hurry to set up the new tank also), but if you wanted to wait a couple of weeks, you could run your new filter (along with the existing one) in the old tank so it seeds. Then after a couple of weeks put the new seeded filter into the new tank then add your fish.

And of course you could always add SafeStart also.

missi

I think my filters are already seeded? They have been in the 37G for like 5 months... and they fit in the new filter (designed for it actually). I cant actually hang the new filter on the old tank, as the old tank is flush to the wall (thus why I got the specific tank). I would have to move the old tank onto the floor somewhere to do that! lol. That sounds like no fun.

ray_sj

I just moved my guppies from a 10 gallon to a 20gallon, and I did almost exactly what you described. In my case, I transferred the filter to the new tank, and 90% of the old water. I put the old gravel in a mesh bag and put it in the new tank as well. So far, so good. I haven't had any problems.

If using more than 50% new water, I'd do a short acclimation just to make sure they're not too shocked by the new water chemistry. But, maybe I'm overly cautious..

missi

I was thinking about using the old water, but I wanted to let it run for a day or two before I did the switch. I guess I could run it, drain 50% and add 50% old water.... I dunno. We ran into a snag where our air tube is too short and I used the extra as a cat toy, so I need to go buy more before we can add water. :O hahahaha. It wouldn't be so bad if the cat actually liked the toy I made with the air tube!

aquarist48

Hello Missi! Congrats on upgrading your tank size! A few things I would like to add to the above posters. If you don't have room to add the new filter to the existing tank then you could always place the new filter media into the tank itself for at least 2 weeks to get it seeded first. Go ahead and move all of your ornaments and substrate as you mentioned. If your tap water is close to or even a a little bit higher than what is in your existing tank then there is no need to transfer the water. The beneficial bacteria (BB) is not free floating but attached to all of your surface areas. If your pH from the tap is off the charts (as mine is) then I would consider transferring 1/2 of the water from the old tank, transfer your fish (then they won't have to acclimate to the new pH) then add the new water if it isn't too hot. If your pH is lower from the tap than what is in your tank be very careful not to drop the pH in the new tank too quickly. It could be fatal. Try to keep your pH and water temperature as close as you can, to match what is currently in the tank.

Wow! Your cold water comes out of the tap at 96 degrees?

Don't forget to remove the chlorine from your tap water before adding the fish. If you do have to put the fish in a bucket for a short period, add some Prime or Nova Aqua...whatever you have on hand to add body slime/stress reliever.

If you decide to fill the new tank from the tap and let it run a couple of days to cool down then don't forget to acclimate your fish before putting them in especially if you have a major pH difference or temperature difference.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. I'm sure you'll get some more responses.
Ken.

missi

Thanks Ken!

I have always used the same tap water in the tank, so it would be the same water going in the new one. And I plan to use the filter media out of the old filter, in the new, since it is the same media (I just rigged the Biowheel System to use that kind of filter! lol) I have a PH test kit, so I will test the two tanks just to make sure, but I don't see how it could be much different seeing as it is the same water, but with Arizona water, you never know!

I will make sure to add prime and maybe some stress coat + to the new tank, and to the bucket I put the fish in. Maybe some Garlic Guard too, we have tons of the stuff, and I am placing an order on Drs. Foster and Smith today for even more before their sale is over!

aquarist48

Keep us posted Missi! Have fun!
Ken

Shawnie

also remember that which ever way you decide to do it, do NOT let the seeded material run on the new tank without a food source....1-2 days without any food source, could cause a great deal of die off.....using seeded filters/deco/gravel etc, is like an instant cycle so id leave it all on the old tank until you are ready to transfer fish as well...if you want to just run the water with the new filter for a couple days to be safe, thats good ...then move everything else the day you move your fish

missi

I am filling the tank right now. The old tank is reading in at 76.8 degrees, and the new one is at 93.3 degrees. I am going to float some water bottles on the new one, and let the filter run with a new filter until it cools off (in case it takes more than 24 hours). Then my plan is to put the fish in a bucket (lock the cat in a bathroom) and move the rock and deco, and then add the fish. But not until the tanks are the same temp. This could be a while! Yikes! Arizona is evil...

I have another question if anyone checks back in... The glass hood has a plastic piece for the back, do you cut that around your filter and other stuff that goes in/out?

My cat just realized their is no lid in the tank and nearly fell in! :P

jdhef

Yes, that plastic portion is usually designed to be cut to fit your equipment that hangs off the back.

missi

Awesome. Thanks! I didn't want to go hacking away and find an easier solution! My other tanks have everything in the hood, so I haven't had one of those before. Live and Learn!

Red1313

Congrast on the new tank!
... I can't imagine water coming out of the taps that hot... here it's usually the other way around

missi

Temp is down to 82 today! Yuck.