Switching to a bigger tank

Hi

I have a 40 gallon breeder tank that's been running since February. I just got a 60 gallon tank and want to know how I should set it up to prevent having to do another cycle. I was planning on adding some new substrate with my old substrate. I need to place this tank in the same spot as the old tank. Or I can move the tank, but it will be on a wall adjacent to a window. I'm not sure if placement there would be a bad thing or not.

If I place it in a new spot I guess I can just clean the new tank and transfer the water from old into new. If I leave it in the same spot, can I just save 10-20 gallons of water in buckets and basically do like a 60% water change? I would be using the same filter and media that's ready running.



The window is right behind the couch which is in the bottom right of the picture.

 

If you use all the same filter media and don't add any new fish straight away you should still keep your cycle

 

I agree to use the same filter and filter media to hold your cycle as long as you're not adding any new fish right away. Using the old water won't do anything for the cycle as there is no beneficial bacteria living in the water column.

I'd block the side of the glass that's facing the window with some black construction paper or something similar to avoid algae issues or keep the shades down.

 

Are you replacing the old tank - in which case as above just move everything over including your filter and you should be instantly cycled. Or are you keeping the old tank running too - in which case you could run both filters on the old tank for a month and then move the new filter to the new tank and lightly stock.

 

Replacing the old tank.

 

Cool. Super easy then... your filter is where the vast majority of your beneficial bacteria reside. So keep that wet and getting it up and running on the new tank in a couple of hours and you should be okay. I would test your water daily for a couple of days to make sure, but the bigger issue will probably be negotiating the new tank into the space where the old tank is... and getting the old tank out of the way with some water (remove most), plus decorations and fish. Remember that water weighs 8 pounds for every gallon - so even getting one extra gallon out can make a big difference!

 

Now will I have more algae growth if I place the tank in a new spot closer to a window.

 

If it fits in the old tank's space and you're not going to be using the old tank, I'd keep it there.

 

Now will I have more algae growth if I place the tank in a new spot closer to a window.

HI Chef! I have a tank right next to a window and it does get some sun on it. (No window coverings on that window just yet--I felt the need to set up my tanks in our new place before buying window treatments! LOL)

I have algae problems in the tank for sure; the glass needs to be scrubbed every few days so it doesn't look unsightly and my decor has algae growing on it that bugs me. So yeah, it's kind of an aesthetic problem.

Still, this is the only place I can put this particular tank and I love it! (But I am planning on getting some blinds soon!)

 

Well the new tank is up and running for 24 hours. Fish seem happy with the roomier area. Tested water after 24 hours. So far 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and about 10-20 nitrates. Now what to do with this empty 40 gallon breeder tank....

 

If you don't know what to do with the 40, then I am assuming that MTS hasn't kicked in yet!