Setting Up A Temporary Tank Before Upgrading

I ordered a 25 gallon tank with heater, filter, light, and stand. I ordered it a week ago. It might take another 3 weeks to get here. I am on break this week and the next, so I really want to do this now. I want to spend time on it, not rush though quickly. I have a 10 gallon tank In my basement that I wanted to cycle. That way, I could put the cycled decorations and substrate in my 25 for a faster cycle. My only problem is that I had someone else clean it. They might have used some sort of soap. I have no way of knowing because the last time the tank was used was 6 years ago. What should I do? Also, I have a few questions about what I will put in it. In my 25, I will have some kuhlI loaches, so I need a smooth substrate. I was thinking about something darker than “beach sand”
What if I mixed a dark sand and a whitish sand? Also, should I put any plants in the temporary one? Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

 

I would't put any plants just basic substrate filter air stone heater.. if you have some plastic plants is always not bad to add in if that is consider tamp. home for you fish still you will make them happy..

 

Ok. So I just put in the substrate and decorations? Do you have a suggestion for a smooth substrate? Also, how should I clean the tank? Vinegar, right?

 

Give the 10gal a good scrub with white distilled vinegar and a good rinse with clean water, should be good to go. Since it has been so long since last use I would fill the 10 gallon and allow to sit for a day or so to make sure it doesn't leak.

Since you are doing a "Fishless" cycle you can go ahead and put everything in the tank that you want to transfer to the 25g. Including the life plants as they will contribute to the cycle. This will give you more surface area for BB to colonize and help speed up the 25g cycle. Good luck

 

Thank you so much! Can you recommend a substrate for a kuhli?

 

Thank you so much! Can you recommend a substrate for a kuhli?

Any kind of sand will make them happy, I used to have some with Turface and they were happy digging and burrowing into that.

 

Thanks! One more question
How do I clean my tank without sucking up the sand?

 

Same as you would normally clean any tank, just don't get the gravel vac too close to the sand. It will take a little trial and error to get the right height above the sand, usually about 1-2" above is fine, I swirl the vacuum around a bit above the sand and the turbulence usually kicks anything up into the water column and it can then be vacuumed right out.

 

Thank you! Here is the tank, I just finished it. Also, I can not believe how much stuff I have! Two nets, some big marble like pebbles, a filter, thermometer, and a fishy looking (pun intended) cycling kit! Is the kit reliable?

 

Please? I really want to know. Also, yay because my 25 is coming next Tuesday!