Upgrading to 55 Gallon

I'm currently trying to upgrade my 29 gallon to a 55 gallon and am curious about the process. I'll be running two filters on the 55: the Whisper 40 I already have set up on the 29 and the Whisper 30-60 Dual I'll be getting with the 55.

Can I simply add the Whisper 30-60 to the 29 gallon with the Whisper 40 for two weeks? Will that get the Whisper 30-60 the good bacteria needed? Afterwards, can I just switch the filters to the 55 gallon, pour fresh dechlorinated water, and then add the fish? This sounds like it should work. It also sounds horribly wrong. Which is it?

BTW, I'll be switching from gravel (29g) to sand (55g). I know I have to clean the sand beforehand.

Thoughts?

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

I think it will work well. You may get a mini-cycle due to the substrate change, but it should be minor.

 

Hanging the new filter on your established tank will definitely help to cycle the new filter. Since you plan on running the filter from your 29 on your 55 I assume you also plan on moving over all the fish from your 29 into your 55. If that is the case you can go ahead and move everything (fish and filter) to the 55 as soon as you have it up and running and the temp is stable. The majority of your beneficial bacteria will be in your old filter and since it is already established to handle the bio load of your current stock you would have a pretty instant cycle. As bolivianbaby mentioned you might get a small minI cycle since you're not transferring substrate, but you could also put the gravel from your 29 in some new, never been washed pantyhose and hang that in your 55 for a few weeks to help minimize your minI cycle. Just keep a close eye on your parameters and be prepared for water changes with your Prime if necessary. And don't add any more fish until the new tank and filter has had some time to stabilize for a few weeks. Then make sure to QT and add any new fish slowly so your bacteria colony doesn't get overwhelmed. Good luck and remember to post pics when you're all moved!

 

That's clever with the pantyhose, but wouldn't the gravel rip through it? Would I only need a small amount of the gravel to put in it? Or would you need a much larger portion?

Okay, now that Idea 1 doesn't seem far-fetched, I have a new question. The 55 gallon is going in the same place where the 29 gallon is now. Does anyone have any experience swapping tanks of this size? How much would the 29 gallon weigh if I took half the water out? 150-200lbs? I can't completely deplete the tank b/c I don't have a QT to place the fish temporarily.

Appreciate it.

 

The more gravel you add the better as it will allow for more of the bacteria to be transferred. The pantyhose shouldn't rip unless the gravel is unusually sharp. It can stretch quite a bit. Just shove in a small handful at a time until it's about the size of a softball or so. As for the weight, generally speaking it will be about 10 pounds for every gallon of water. I believe the water itself is around 8+ pounds with the extra added for the weight of the glass and any gravel/decor so if you empty it half way then +/-150 would be about right.

 

I'm a relative newbie at this, but here's what I did with my 36 g when it had to move due to new floor being put in... identified a temporary spot for the tank (power, flooring, etc.) Got some rubbermaid containers (new, and well rinsed out) and my 10 g spare. Filled the 10 g spare (with filter running (more for aeration than anything else) with water from the main tank. Filled the rubbermaid containers with the decorations & plants (got them out of the way to make fish catching easier) and put the fish in the 10 g. Filled the rubbermaid containers with the tank water (having of course shut filter, etc off first)... left the gravel and a bit of water in the tank. Moved the tank carefully along with the stand to the temporary location... refilled using water from rubbermaid containers, decor, plants, etc. made sure everything was running and put the fish back in. (added some water to make up for the 10 g that I didn't put back in the tank) Total time about a half hour. When it was time to move back when the floors were done, did the same thing. Test the water after the move as there'll be some disruption to the cycle.

Instead, you could set up your new tank with the old one running elsewhere until you're sure of the temps, filtration, etc. at which time it's just a tank move for the fishies, a filter move and a tear down (or other) for the old tank.

I hope this makes sense/helps.

Sue

 

Disclaimer - I'm new, but I think I have a good understanding from reading/learning.

I'd say your original suggestion would definitely be a start in the right direction. I'd see a problem arising if you add 55 gallon worth of fish right away, but if you start with around the same amount of fish that you have in your current tank, the bacteria should already be there to keep up with the bioload of those fish. If you add more fish than the bacteria can handle, you'll experience a mini-cycle.

Just make sure that you don't move the new filter to the new tank well before you put fish in there, because the bacteria will die with nothing to feed off of.

 

Appreciate the feedback everyone.

 

First, I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone in this site for being so patient and knowledgeable! You've all been so helpful.

So for my question...

Tomorrow we are purchasing a 55 gallon tank (my birthday present ) and I'm planning to move my fish from the 29 gallon tank they're in and expand my stock.

So my question is about instant cycling. I currently have two filters running on my 29 gallon and I want to move both of those to the new tank along with the new filter. I will be moving all decor, gravel, and hopefully water from the old tank to the new tank as well. I also have Stability and Prime on hand.

Will this be sufficient to keep my fish safe while the new filter cycles? I plan on keeping at least two filters (hob) on the 55 gallon, if not all 3.

Any other recommendations or input?

I have 5 bloodfin tetras, 3 adult platies, one 2 week old molly fry, one 6 week old platy fry, and two nerite snails in the 29 gallon currently.

 

Hello Kel...

The new tank will be cycled when you transfer the filter media to it. Anything else you move to the new tank will help. Moving the old water doesn't do anything but transfer the pollution to the new tank. Fill the new tank with pure, treated tap water. You should test the water in the new tank daily for a few days, for traces of ammonia or nitrite, the same as you would for a cycling tank. If you have traces of ammonia or nitrite, remove and replace roughly 15 gallons of water to maintain safe water conditions. The added water in the larger tank should dilute any dissolved fish waste, so your fish should be fine.

Old

 

oldsalt777, thank you! I was wondering whether moving the water would be a good idea or not. I just did a water change yesterday so I figured if it'd help, I'd move it but since it seems it'll won't be beneficial then fresh water it is!

 

Congrats on the new 55!! I remember when I upgraded from a 29 to a 55 for the first time....it was so cool!!
I agree with everything Old said. I just want to reiterate that even with seeded media, it isn't always an "instant cycle". You could still face what is sometimes referred to as a "minI cycle" or a cycle bump or whatever. Which is why it is still important to keep a close eye on the nitrite and ammonia readings for that first couple weeks. And if you see any spike in either of those...start doing small daily water changes until it is under control.

 

Thank you, @bizaliz. When I upgraded my 5.5g to a 10 gallon I moved the filter with it and everything was fine but I removed the old filter after about two weeks and started a mini-cycle. Since I'm not going to have the 29 gallon running I can leave the filter on the 55 for as long as I need to/forever lol. But I will definitely pay close attention.

Does anyone have any advice as far as moving the fish? I am going to keep the water at the same temp while filling (I use the tub and a thermometer to check) and was planning on moving the occupants of the 29 to a bucket with old tank water while I set up the new tank.

 

Does anyone have any advice as far as moving the fish? I am going to keep the water at the same temp while filling (I use the tub and a thermometer to check) and was planning on moving the occupants of the 29 to a bucket with old tank water while I set up the new tank.

sounds like a plan to me!!
or...you could also just leave them in the 29 while you set up the new tank. An unfiltered 29 would be no different than a bucket right? And it will only be for a brief time anyway! And...you probably wouldn't put the filters on the 55 until it is done filling up...meaning the 29 could stay filtered the whole time the new tank is being filled...in other words...no need for a bucket...right?

UNLESS...do you have to move the 29 in order to set up the 55??.....if that's the case, then yes, the bucket option would be the way to go!!! But if the 29 can stay as-is until the 55 is filled, why not just leave them in their old tank while they wait!

 

bizaliz3, unfortunately I do not have room for both and the new tank will be going where the 29 is currently. I was thinking we could maybe siphon off some of the water from the 29 and just move it, but I want to get the decorations and gravel out of there. If the bucket is a safe way to go I think that is my best option. I wish I could keep both going but our place is quite small (and will now be overtaken by tanks haha).

 

I would use the old water in the new tank. 29 gallon tank holds about 25 gallons of water, new 55 gallon tank holds about 40-50 gallons water depending how much substrate you use. That's basically a 50% partial water change. That seems like a better idea than shocking your fish with a 100% water change.

 

That also makes sense bigdreams.

 

Well here it is! This was a tiring day haha (I am 38 weeks pregnant).

I used some of the old water, not all of it. Checked ammonia and it's at 0 right now. The fish all seem fine right now. No unusual hiding or fin clamping.

 

Awesome job!!! Looks great! I have no idea how you pulled that off at 38 weeks pregnant!! Impressive!!

 

Thank you, bizaliz3! My boyfriend helped with the heavy lifting. I'm very happy with how it came out. Can't wait to add more fish! (Once I'm satisfied that the parameters are stable and the other fish stay well)

 

Will this be sufficient to keep my fish safe while the new filter cycles? I plan on keeping at least two filters (HOB) on the 55 gallon, if not all 3.




Can't wait to add more fish! (Once I'm satisfied that the parameters are stable and the other fish stay well)

I have a thought about this, which is in part a question CindiL

1) So you have a brand new filter that you need to cycle

2) you want to add more fish

When you move the old filters to the new tank, yes I agree you moved your cycle. But I think caution is needed because these two filters were ran in a tank that had a steady bioload. More water and more filtration doesn't necessarily mean that the new setup is ready for more fish. In my mind it simply means everything is still good for the old 29 gallon tank bioload. The new filter needs to be colonized with bacteria before that filter is doing anything more than moving water around.

I am curious if it wouldn't be better to put the new filter in the 29 gallon tank, dump a bottle of TSS+ in and run the tank long enough to establish the colony of bacteria in the new filter. Once completed, put the filter in the new tank, run it for a few days while checking params and then add more fish.

Would this not be the quicker way to get the new filter ready? In the old tank doing a fishless cycle so you can run the ammonia up to 1 or 2 ppm?

Just curious.

 

I have a thought about this, which is in part a question CindiL

1) So you have a brand new filter that you need to cycle

2) you want to add more fish

When you move the old filters to the new tank, yes I agree you moved your cycle. But I think caution is needed because these two filters were ran in a tank that had a steady bioload. More water and more filtration doesn't necessarily mean that the new setup is ready for more fish. In my mind it simply means everything is still good for the old 29 gallon tank bioload. The new filter needs to be colonized with bacteria before that filter is doing anything more than moving water around.

I am curious if it wouldn't be better to put the new filter in the 29 gallon tank, dump a bottle of TSS+ in and run the tank long enough to establish the colony of bacteria in the new filter. Once completed, put the filter in the new tank, run it for a few days while checking params and then add more fish.

Would this not be the quicker way to get the new filter ready? In the old tank doing a fishless cycle so you can run the ammonia up to 1 or 2 ppm?

Just curious.

I thought about doing something like this but I don't have space to keep both tanks going at once.

I'm not planning to add any new fish until I see that the parameters are stable, although I do understand what you're saying, Mister Krabbs.

I have moved all of the filter media from one of the old filters into the new filter because the old hob didn't fit on the new tank. I have Stability on hand that I can dose as needed if anyone (@bizaliz3 CindiL) thinks that will help to colonize the new filter. And I dosed with Prime when filling the new tank (for the whole tank).

 

I think adding stability is a very good idea and if necessary to double dose or more to the new filter media in the new filter to seed it quicker. Also happy birthday and all the very best on the new little bundle of joy coming your way any time now.

 

Congratulations on your new tank and the new baby coming! :;a
Looks like you did everything perfect. I have switched tanks numerous times myself and its quite the undertaking, I can't imagine doing it 38 weeks pregnant!

I would use the old water in the new tank. 29 gallon tank holds about 25 gallons of water, new 55 gallon tank holds about 40-50 gallons water depending how much substrate you use. That's basically a 50% partial water change. That seems like a better idea than shocking your fish with a 100% water change.

Just wanted to mention that as long as ph and temperature are almost the same and you've been keeping up on your weekly water changes this isn't shocking to the new fish at all and better to start with new clean water. I've probably done this about 5 times and never lost a fish. I don't think it would hurt by any means though to use half the water to conserve or anything.

I am curious if it wouldn't be better to put the new filter in the 29 gallon tank, dump a bottle of TSS+ in and run the tank long enough to establish the colony of bacteria in the new filter. Once completed, put the filter in the new tank, run it for a few days while checking params and then add more fish.

Would this not be the quicker way to get the new filter ready? In the old tank doing a fishless cycle so you can run the ammonia up to 1 or 2 ppm?

Just curious.

Because she's moving everything to a new tank, you're right its the same bio-load though in a larger volume of water. You just add in more fish slowly the same way you would in any cycled tank. Running two tanks is a lot more work and no better then just moving everything and slowly adding more fish.

 

Thank you everyone!
DAB56 do you mean to put the Stability directly onto the new media? Like in the actual filter?

 

Thank you everyone!
@ do you mean to put the Stability directly onto the new media? Like in the actual filter?

Yes that's what I do, I also put some on the opposite end of the tank so the BB gets distributed both ways, but I always put lots directly on the filter media to seed it directly.

 

DAB56 thank you! I dosed the tank with two capfuls and put the rest directly on the filter media. My ammonia was between 0 and 0.25 this morning (a little more yellow than green but not a perfect yellow).

 

Just wanted to add that the setup/decor you did in tank looks fantastic!

 

Thank you, Jamieson22!!