Rescued fish with new tank

my late uncle had a gorgeous collection of endler guppies, and when he passed a few gears ago, my aunt badly neglected them. I have experience taking care of fish so I took them on about 2 months ago. there were 15 individuals (mostly juveniles) in a 10 gallon.

when I received the tank from her, you couldnt even see through the glass. it was appalling.

I have a 55 gallon aquarium and it is cycling now. this is its 4th day.

I was wondering when it would be appropriate to trasfer the guppies. there are about 6 adults now, as opposed to 3 before. The filter my aunt had for them (which barely worked) busted about a month in. the heater she had was shattered. the fish have a few live plants and a bubbler, and I do water changes. This is way below the standard of care I want for them. I know cycling is a dangerous time to add fish, but I can't help but wonder if their current tank conditions are worse.

the tank that is cycling is 55 gallons, heated to an ideal temperature, and filtered. the aquarium they are in now is 10 gallons, about 70°, and unfiltered. I want what's best for them, since they belonged to my uncle who I miss a lot.

I can get fresh parameters today, but yesterday ammomia was less than .25 ppm and nitrites were at 0

if you need other info, I can get it.

 

I would let the tank cycle before you switch and then do it in stages just a few at a time. If they survives this long in terrible conditions they can last a few more weeks. How are you cycling the tank? Using live bacteria?

 

I'm using media from the filter that broke. I took out the bio sponge and put it inside the 10 gallon so that the bacteria would remain in cycle, and I'm squeezing it out into the 55 about once a day or so.

and I think you are correct. the fish still appear to be mostly healthy. I have one female who has been pregnant the entire time who refuses to drop tho, and I was most concerned about her and the potential loss of her fry as she continues to get more sluggish.

 

There should be a lot of bacteria in the 10 gallon tank. Everything in there will have bacteria in it. If it has gravel or any kind of decor it should be loaded with bacteria. If I found myself in this situation I would move everything from the 10 gallon over to the 55. You should be able to move enough bacteria from the 10 gallon over to the 55 to handle the bio-load of the fish in the 10 gallon. Don't add any extra fish at this time though. Be sure to acclimate the fish to the fresh water if you've not already done so.

 

There should be a lot of bacteria in the 10 gallon tank. Everything in there will have bacteria in it. If it has gravel or any kind of decor it should be loaded with bacteria. If I found myself in this situation I would move everything from the 10 gallon over to the 55. You should be able to move enough bacteria from the 10 gallon over to the 55 to handle the bio-load of the fish in the 10 gallon. Don't add any extra fish at this time though. Be sure to acclimate the fish to the fresh water if you've not already done so.

how do I do this without stressing the fish by dismantling their current home? also I don't ultimately want the stuff in the 55 gallon. there's no decor in the 10 gallon, just gravel. I moved over most of the plants tho

 

how do I do this without stressing the fish by dismantling their current home? also I don't ultimately want the stuff in the 55 gallon. there's no decor in the 10 gallon, just gravel. I moved over most of the plants tho

Put the gravel in some kind of open container. You want something with enough space to spread the gravel out on. This will make it easier to remove once the 55 completes the cycle. By moving it and the media from the 10 gallon the 55 should cycle fairly quick. There was also bacteria on the plants you have already moved so that was a good thing to do.

I won't look good for a while but when you move the gravel try to also move the detritus that will have built up in the gravel. It would be easiest just to siphon it into a bucket and pour it into the 55. There will be bacteria in it too. The filter on the 55 should clear the water up fairly quick and the media will be loaded with bacteria.

I would put some water from the 10 gallon in a container big enough for the guppies to spend some time in while breaking down the 10 gallon tank.

 

Put the gravel in some kind of open container. You want something with enough space to spread the gravel out on. This will make it easier to remove once the 55 completes the cycle. By moving it and the media from the 10 gallon the 55 should cycle fairly quick. There was also bacteria on the plants you have already moved so that was a good thing to do.

I won't look good for a while but when you move the gravel try to also move the detritus that will have built up in the gravel. It would be easiest just to siphon it into a bucket and pour it into the 55. There will be bacteria in it too. The filter on the 55 should clear the water up fairly quick and the media will be loaded with bacteria.

I would put some water from the 10 gallon in a container big enough for the guppies to spend some time in while breaking down the 10 gallon tank.

okay sounds like a plan! I'll do that after work tonight

 

okay sounds like a plan! I'll do that after work tonight

Please let us know how things are going

 

Please let us know how things are going

I will! thank you for your help!

here's an of the (mostly drained and fish removed to a clean container) 10 gallon my aunt had them in. the water here is only about a half inch deep and the gravel is neon blue.

the other picture is the tank I have set up for them! eventually I want to get it a bit more planted so that there's more structure, but I think its an upgrade for sure!!!

 

Definitely an upgrade Have you tested the water in the 10 gallon? If the nitrates are really high you will want to slowly acclimate the fish to water with a lower nitrate level. They will have slowly gotten used to bad conditions so it is best to slowly get them used to clean water. Doing it too quickly could possibly cause them harm.

I do understand you not wanting to use the neon blue gravel

 

There should be a lot of bacteria in the 10 gallon tank. Everything in there will have bacteria in it. If it has gravel or any kind of decor it should be loaded with bacteria. If I found myself in this situation I would move everything from the 10 gallon over to the 55. You should be able to move enough bacteria from the 10 gallon over to the 55 to handle the bio-load of the fish in the 10 gallon. Don't add any extra fish at this time though. Be sure to acclimate the fish to the fresh water if you've not already done so.

Exactly my thoughts. They are at more risk in the crappy 10 gallon than the not cycles 55.

 

Exactly my thoughts. They are at more risk in the crappy 10 gallon than the not cycles 55.

okay I think I've decided to move the guppies over soon but not immediately. I tested both tanks tonight and the results were same other than the nitrates. the nitrates in the 10 are off the charts (registered the highest it could at 160 ;-; )

55 has ammonia at .25, nitrites at 0 and nitrates at 5.

how do I acclimate the fish to the nitrate change? you said slowly, but over a couple hours, over a day, over a few?

I did a 10% water change on the 10 just yesterday, so I don't understand why its that bad. (the 10 has been in my posession a while and doesn't look like an ugly block of algae currently. its had the water 100% changed over the course of time. the water is clear. however I think the gravel is Disgusting, and the lack of filtration isn't helping at this time. I'm also getting used to city water instead of well water, and have been more nervois than usual about doing water changes since I've never dealt with chlorinated water. I'm getring used to it, but I haven't done as much as I probably should just because I was for a while terrified of accidentally doing more harm than good, even tho I know millions of hobbyists use dechlorinators and thay they work.)

Definitely an upgrade Have you tested the water in the 10 gallon? If the nitrates are really high you will want to slowly acclimate the fish to water with a lower nitrate level. They will have slowly gotten used to bad conditions so it is best to slowly get them used to clean water. Doing it too quickly could possibly cause them harm.

I do understand you not wanting to use the neon blue gravel

I was trying to reply to you but struggled. Ive got an update written

 

A good dechlorinater is Prime. It will also help neutralize ammonia and nitrite with cycling with fish.

 

I was trying to reply to you but struggled. Ive got an update written

Since the nitrates are this high in the 10 gallon tank I suggest lowering them very slowly. Gradually increase the amount of water you change each day. Start with 10%, the next day change 15%, and then 20%. Increase it each day until you get the nitrates down to at least 20. At that point it should be safe to move the fish over to the bigger tank.

Using a water conditioner is a safe and simple matter. I use seachem prime but any of the many water conditioner will work just fine. I do recommend prime if there will be a chance of ammonia in the 55 though because it detoxes low amounts of ammonia. It makes the water instantly safe so Just add it to the water before pouring the water in the tank

 

Since the nitrates are this high in the 10 gallon tank I suggest lowering them very slowly. Gradually increase the amount of water you change each day. Start with 10%, the next day change 15%, and then 20%. Increase it each day until you get the nitrates down to at least 20. At that point it should be safe to move the fish over to the bigger tank.

Using a water conditioner is a safe and simple matter. I use seachem prime but any of the many water conditioner will work just fine. I do recommend prime if there will be a chance of ammonia in the 55 though because it detoxes low amounts of ammonia. It makes the water instantly safe so Just add it to the water before pouring the water in the tank

I don't know what overall percentage you'd call it, but I removed about 10% and replaced it with about 12-15% (the water line had receded to an amount that was significant) I was thinking I could be lenient with this one since I did a 10% 2 days back. I'll update tonight on if the reading has changed.

side note- is there a way to start a (gravel vaccuum? lil pvc pipe, water pressure??? idk if gravel vacuum is the right term when using a tiny boy) is there a way to start one without like using your mouth???? that's how my dad taught me many years ago, and also how my uncle did it, but I got fishwater in my mouth today and remembered I didnt miss that part of fishkeeping

edit: gosh I didnt realize this site censored stuff

SIPHON! THE WORD IS SIPHON!

 

I don't know what overall percentage you'd call it, but I removed about 10% and replaced it with about 12-15% (the water line had receded to an amount that was significant) I was thinking I could be lenient with this one since I did a 10% 2 days back. I'll update tonight on if the reading has changed.

side note- is there a way to start a (gravel vaccuum? lil pvc pipe, water pressure??? idk if gravel vacuum is the right term when using a tiny boy) is there a way to start one without like using your mouth???? that's how my dad taught me many years ago, and also how my uncle did it, but I got fishwater in my mouth today and remembered I didnt miss that part of fishkeeping ****

edit: gosh I didnt realize this site censored stuff

Close to 10% is good enough.

Some folks dip the whole gravel vac in the tank to fill it with water. Once filled leave the ridgid end of tubing in the tank, cover the the end that goes to the bucket with a finger. This should get you going. I have always just used mouth power to get mine started.

Keep running the nitrate test after each water change. By gradually reducing the amount of nitrates your little guys should come through this upgrade for them with flying colors.

 

I don't know what overall percentage you'd call it, but I removed about 10% and replaced it with about 12-15% (the water line had receded to an amount that was significant) I was thinking I could be lenient with this one since I did a 10% 2 days back. I'll update tonight on if the reading has changed.

side note- is there a way to start a (gravel vaccuum? lil pvc pipe, water pressure??? idk if gravel vacuum is the right term when using a tiny boy) is there a way to start one without like using your mouth???? that's how my dad taught me many years ago, and also how my uncle did it, but I got fishwater in my mouth today and remembered I didnt miss that part of fishkeeping ****

Close to 10% is good enough.

Some folks dip the whole gravel vac in the tank to fill it with water. Once filled leave the ridgid end of tubing in the tank, cover the the end that goes to the bucket with a finger. This should get you going. I have always just used mouth power to get mine started.

Keep running the nitrate test after each water change. By gradually reducing the amount of nitrates your little guys should come through this upgrade for them with flying colors.

thank you! I'll update when I decide to move them over

 

You’ve already gotten great advice from mattgirl ... but I was wondering if you had a mesh bag you could put the gravel in it and add it to your filter that way it’ll help with the cycle then you can just remove the mesh bag and toss the gravel and all once you’re parameters stabilize... unless you’ve already done something else wit the gravel. Good luck and good for you for doing everything u can to save them. And welcome here too!!

 

You’ve already gotten great advice from mattgirl ... but I was wondering if you had a mesh bag you could put the gravel in it and add it to your filter that way it’ll help with the cycle then you can just remove the mesh bag and toss the gravel and all once you’re parameters stabilize... unless you’ve already done something else wit the gravel. Good luck and good for you for doing everything u can to save them. And welcome here too!!

I was going to suggest doing this but second guessed myself before saying it. I was trying to find a way to move all of it over to the bigger tank. I know bacteria replicates quickly and just moving some of it along with the mulm will probably be enough to jump start the cycle on the 55 but I thought the more the merrier in this case.

 

Close to 10% is good enough.

Some folks dip the whole gravel vac in the tank to fill it with water. Once filled leave the ridgid end of tubing in the tank, cover the the end that goes to the bucket with a finger. This should get you going. I have always just used mouth power to get mine started.

Keep running the nitrate test after each water change. By gradually reducing the amount of nitrates your little guys should come through this upgrade for them with flying colors.

according to how the water changes are going, I think thursday should be the move in day! its down to 40 now, and has seemed to halve every time.

I'm having trouble choosing which fish I want to move over. I'm thinking my older pregnant gal since she seems to not want to drop fry in the 10 for sure, but I don't know how many companions should go in. (shes not real old I don't think, she was just the only adult female in the group when I got them. but she seems very stressed and has been reasonably large for the 2 months Ive had her.) I don't think I want to do more than 5.

I was going to monitor the ammonia levels and then add a few more fish as the spikes even out.

I was thinking of adding her and a few younger ones, or adding her and the other original adults. or adding just her and the other pregnant younger female.

which fish do you think would benefit most/be least stressed?

 

Once the water changes are done and the nitrates are down I would go ahead and move all of them. It is going to take all of them to add enough ammonia to complete this cycle. As long as you move/have moved as much gravel and the mulm in it over to the 55 you should be well on your way to having this tank cycled.

Be sure to give the little pregnant girl lots of places where she can hide and feel safe. If so she may get comfortable enough to finally give birth.

 

Once the water changes are done and the nitrates are down I would go ahead and move all of them. It is going to take all of them to add enough ammonia to complete this cycle. As long as you move/have moved as much gravel and the mulm in it over to the 55 you should be well on your way to having this tank cycled.

Be sure to give the little pregnant girl lots of places where she can hide and feel safe. If so she may get comfortable enough to finally give birth.

I never had any issues with guppies before, but this tank I was given with them was basically bare. there are three decent hides so far in the 55, plus several plants. I'm also hoping it being bigger in general will help with giving her the space she needs. even if she hides in the 10, there are 14 other fish in a way too small space for them.

do you think a breeder net would hold gravel? its about all i've got for meshy. its not a lot of gravel.

 

I never had any issues with guppies before, but this tank I was given with them was basically bare. there are three decent hides so far in the 55, plus several plants. I'm also hoping it being bigger in general will help with giving her the space she needs. even if she hides in the 10, there are 14 other fish in a way too small space for them.

do you think a breeder net would hold gravel? its about all i've got for meshy. its not a lot of gravel.

The breeder net should work. You want to situated the gravel where it will have water from the filter running through or at least over it. You will get the most benefit from it this way.

Hopefully giving her more space will get her to drop this babies. I've never had guppies but from all I've read it seems they can hold them for quite a while. The only live bearers I've even had were mollies and that was just for a very short time. I decided they weren't for me so re-homed all but one male.

 

You don't have to suck on the siphon hose, times have changed! I've got small tanks now, so I use a siphon with a bulb that you squeeze a few times to start the siphon. Available at pet stores, cheaper online. Easy and no fish water in my mouth. When I had a big tank, I used a python water changer. It's the best for big tanks. It's not the best if you're nervous about dechlorinating, but I never had a problem with it. It hooks up to your faucet and your plumbing starts the siphon, and refills the tank.

 

I was going to suggest doing this but second guessed myself before saying it. I was trying to find a way to move all of it over to the bigger tank. I know bacteria replicates quickly and just moving some of it along with the mulm will probably be enough to jump start the cycle on the 55 but I thought the more the merrier in this case.

today is the day! the nitrates in the 10 haven't quite lowered to 20 (Id say theyre 25-30ish), but the nitrates in the 55 have jumped enough to even the distance (about 15). its also down to 0 ammonia! so, I've decided its time to move the guppies over and focus more on water changes and chemistry in the 55 now! I'm currently acclimating them! I'm going to give them a bit more time than I usually would just bc the temperature jump is decent. I'm so excited to see how theyll like their new home!