No need to cycle replacment tank?

Kyguylal · 02-15-2013, 03:31 AM

I'm getting a 6.6 gallon fluval chi in th mail Saturday. It's stripped. Just the tank. I have a 5.5 set up right now. Been going for over a year.

I'm going to be using the filter that I have set up now for the new tank. I'm also changing substrate from black sand to white gravel.

Will it be a matter of slapping my filter over to the chi and be good to go?

I was thinking that I should rinse the gravel, then start transferring the water from the 5.5 gallon into the new tank. Then add my shrimp and Otos. Would this work?

lamiskool · 02-15-2013, 03:36 AM

id say yes but while replacing everything if its going to take a while and the filter will be off, then stick an air stone or something in the filter so the bacteria get O2 and doesnt die

Rich Guano · 02-15-2013, 03:48 AM

Moving the filter from the old tank to the new is absolutely the best way to go! This is how I start additional tanks.

I know this sounds counter-intuitive.. but, I kick start the substrate by squeezing the filter mulm into before adding the water. This get nutrients and bacteria going much quicker.

If your also going to moving your plants, then you should see virtually no cycle interruption to speak of.

sarahspins · 02-15-2013, 03:51 AM

If your old filter is only powered off for a few hours it should be fine without you doing anything special... if it was a few days then you'd need to worry

The more you move (plants, rocks, DW) the less trouble you will likely run into since BB is already on all of those things too.

Kyguylal · 02-15-2013, 04:20 AM

Ok. I'm moving everything except the sand. A few rocks, plants, heater, filter all in

Will I be good to up and toss in my shrimp right away too?

Going to be a quick swap. 30 minutes at most

MSG · 02-15-2013, 04:34 AM

I would wait at least 48 hours before I drop the shrimp in there. Run some water tests every 12 hours to check the numbers. Personally I would wait a good 3-5 days until I'm positive everything is STABLE.

I don't know what kind of shrimp you're putting in there, but it never hurts to be safe.

What brand & model filter are you transferring into the Chi?

OrangeSoda · 02-15-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSG

I would wait at least 48 hours before I drop the shrimp in there. Run some water tests every 12 hours to check the numbers.

Since you are swapping over the filter, decor, plants and re-using the water in the 5.5, you're parameters will remain stable as all you are changing is substrate and the glass box that holds them. The quicker the swap, the better.

Kyguylal · 02-15-2013, 04:38 PM

Thank you all.

It is a Marina S10 slim filter.

Diana · 02-16-2013, 04:12 AM

I would not wait several days.
Sit the 2 tanks side by side and move everything over.
Done.

Monitor it, of course, and be ready to do some water changes if needed.

You will be losing some bacteria that are living on the substrate, but not much.
You could add a few extra floating plants, then remove them a little at a time over a few weeks. Plants that float are not dependent on the CO2 in the water, so are better able to take in any extra ammonia that might happen when you lose that bacteria in the substrate.

02-15-2013, 03:31 AM	#1
Kyguylal Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 305	No need to cycle replacment tank? I'm getting a 6.6 gallon fluval chi in th mail Saturday. It's stripped. Just the tank. I have a 5.5 set up right now. Been going for over a year. I'm going to be using the filter that I have set up now for the new tank. I'm also changing substrate from black sand to white gravel. Will it be a matter of slapping my filter over to the chi and be good to go? I was thinking that I should rinse the gravel, then start transferring the water from the 5.5 gallon into the new tank. Then add my shrimp and Otos. Would this work?

02-15-2013, 03:48 AM	#3
Rich Guano Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Arnoldsville, GA Posts: 149	Moving the filter from the old tank to the new is absolutely the best way to go! This is how I start additional tanks. I know this sounds counter-intuitive.. but, I kick start the substrate by squeezing the filter mulm into before adding the water. This get nutrients and bacteria going much quicker. If your also going to moving your plants, then you should see virtually no cycle interruption to speak of. __________________ Have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out. Think outside the glass box.

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02-15-2013, 03:36 AM	#2
lamiskool Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 150	id say yes but while replacing everything if its going to take a while and the filter will be off, then stick an air stone or something in the filter so the bacteria get O2 and doesnt die

02-15-2013, 03:51 AM	#4
sarahspins Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 305	If your old filter is only powered off for a few hours it should be fine without you doing anything special... if it was a few days then you'd need to worry The more you move (plants, rocks, DW) the less trouble you will likely run into since BB is already on all of those things too.

02-15-2013, 04:20 AM	#5
Kyguylal Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 305	Ok. I'm moving everything except the sand. A few rocks, plants, heater, filter all in Will I be good to up and toss in my shrimp right away too? Going to be a quick swap. 30 minutes at most

02-15-2013, 04:34 AM	#6
MSG Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Coast Posts: 270	I would wait at least 48 hours before I drop the shrimp in there. Run some water tests every 12 hours to check the numbers. Personally I would wait a good 3-5 days until I'm positive everything is STABLE. I don't know what kind of shrimp you're putting in there, but it never hurts to be safe. What brand & model filter are you transferring into the Chi?

02-15-2013, 04:38 PM	#8
Kyguylal Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 305	Thank you all. It is a Marina S10 slim filter.

02-16-2013, 04:12 AM	#9
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	I would not wait several days. Sit the 2 tanks side by side and move everything over. Done. Monitor it, of course, and be ready to do some water changes if needed. You will be losing some bacteria that are living on the substrate, but not much. You could add a few extra floating plants, then remove them a little at a time over a few weeks. Plants that float are not dependent on the CO2 in the water, so are better able to take in any extra ammonia that might happen when you lose that bacteria in the substrate.