Setting up new tank, what to do with fish?

binako · 05-21-2012, 08:26 PM

I currently have 3 otocinclus and 4 glowlight tetras in a 6 or 7 gallon tank. I recently bought a 17 gallon tank and a new filter, and I'd like to know the best way to switch them over.

My plan is to put the fish into a large bucket with the old tank water and old filter, then set up the 17g with substrate, hardscape, and plants. I would then put the fish in, acclimating them as slowly as possible, and keep both the old and new filters on the tank.

Will this be too hard on my fish? I'm hoping that the driftwood, plants, old filter, and substrate (all from the established 6g) will help cycle the new tank pretty quickly; am I wrong in thinking that this is true? Will it help at all to do small but very frequent water changes during the first month?

I'd rather not keep my fish in the old tank, since I'll be reusing the driftwood, plants, and substrate. I don't want them to be in an empty aquarium while the new tank cycles. I also don't have anywhere to put the old tank once the new one is set up. If that would be a better option, though, please let me know.

Any suggestions on how to make this a smooth and healthy transition will be greatly appreciated.

wendyjo · 05-21-2012, 08:32 PM

You don't need to worry about the new tank cycling if you move the new filter over. So just put the fish in a bucket while you move everything over, then move the fish over.

Kyrol · 05-21-2012, 08:49 PM

You still have to worry about cycle keep an eye on ammonia just putting a seeded filter into an aquarium doesn't make it ready for fish. It does however help it along drastically.

wendyjo · 05-21-2012, 08:53 PM

The cycle should be fine. He is not adding new fish, just moving everything over to a new tank. The bacteria in the tank and filter will only grow a large enough colony to support the bioload in the tank. Just because the new tank will be bigger doesn't mean he needs more bacteria in it if the bio load is the same. He's moving over the plants, decor, gravel and filter so there will be very little bacteria lost. As long as he's not adding new fish right away he shouldn't have any problems.

discuspaul · 05-21-2012, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyjo

The cycle should be fine. He is not adding new fish, just moving everything over to a new tank. The bacteria in the tank and filter will only grow a large enough colony to support the bioload in the tank. Just because the new tank will be bigger doesn't mean he needs more bacteria in it if the bio load is the same. He's moving over the plants, decor, gravel and filter so there will be very little bacteria lost. As long as he's not adding new fish right away he shouldn't have any problems.

+ 1. This is a safe route to go.

librarygirl · 05-21-2012, 10:58 PM

I agree, I've upgraded tanks twice now and did it that way and the fish were fine. I just added an air stone and heater to their holding bucket, I didn't bother trying to fix the filter on there; just keep the media wet if you don't use the filter. I didn't have a minicycle either time and I changed everything out both times except for the filter, but just test for a few days afterwards just in case. I added some Stress Coat to their holding bucket too, but if you don't have it don't worry about it. I think catching them to put them into the bucket and then back into the tank is going to be the most time consuming and stressful for them, so just do it slowly. If you have a lid for the holding bucket use it, just to prevent them jumping out and to keep them in darkness for less stress. Once you move them back into the new tank, keep the lights off until the next day and don't feed them until the next day. Good luck!

LS6 Tommy · 05-22-2012, 01:21 AM

It couldn't hurt to dose Seachem Stability. I never used to believe in adding ANYTHING to a tank (especially a raw one), but this stuff seems pretty darn good...

Tommy

Diana · 05-22-2012, 04:56 AM

Moving everything over is the best way to conserve the bacteria.

If you are still worried you can look for a product that contains Nitrospira species of bacteria. Add a little when you do the change, then add a bit more if you add more fish or shrimp to the larger tank. Use it again when you re-set up the little tank.
Nitrospiros are the actual species of nitrifying bacteria that you need in the system.
I would not waste money on any product that does not specify that species of bacteria.

binako · 05-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Thanks for all your help, everyone! I switched tanks on Monday night; so far, everything looks good. The fish didn't seem too stressed during the change, and seem to be doing great now. I'll be keeping an especially close eye on ammonia levels and water parameters, though.

wendyjo · 05-23-2012, 07:57 PM

Good job!

Fluval · 05-23-2012, 08:33 PM

If you can find a home, it would be better to give up one otocinclus and get two more tetras. Since they are schooling fish, they're better in numbers. I never go under 5 on schooling fish.

binako · 05-23-2012, 09:19 PM

I'll be picking up two or three more tetras once I'm sure that the new tank is settled, but I won't be giving up one of the otocinclus.

05-21-2012, 08:26 PM	#1
binako Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 79	Setting up new tank, what to do with fish? I currently have 3 otocinclus and 4 glowlight tetras in a 6 or 7 gallon tank. I recently bought a 17 gallon tank and a new filter, and I'd like to know the best way to switch them over. My plan is to put the fish into a large bucket with the old tank water and old filter, then set up the 17g with substrate, hardscape, and plants. I would then put the fish in, acclimating them as slowly as possible, and keep both the old and new filters on the tank. Will this be too hard on my fish? I'm hoping that the driftwood, plants, old filter, and substrate (all from the established 6g) will help cycle the new tank pretty quickly; am I wrong in thinking that this is true? Will it help at all to do small but very frequent water changes during the first month? I'd rather not keep my fish in the old tank, since I'll be reusing the driftwood, plants, and substrate. I don't want them to be in an empty aquarium while the new tank cycles. I also don't have anywhere to put the old tank once the new one is set up. If that would be a better option, though, please let me know. Any suggestions on how to make this a smooth and healthy transition will be greatly appreciated.

05-22-2012, 01:21 AM	#7
LS6 Tommy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denville, NJ Posts: 1,452	It couldn't hurt to dose Seachem Stability. I never used to believe in adding ANYTHING to a tank (especially a raw one), but this stuff seems pretty darn good... Tommy __________________ ><;;;"> <9))>>{ Eheim Pimp #204. 58 gal planted Oceanic Red Turquiose Discus, Japonica shrimp, assorted Blue Eyed Rainbows, Tetras, Hatchets, Danios, Rasboras 10 gal low tech planted Celestial Pearl Danio (Celestichthys margaritatus) & Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Microrasbora erythromicron)

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05-21-2012, 08:32 PM	#2
wendyjo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC area Posts: 2,823	You don't need to worry about the new tank cycling if you move the new filter over. So just put the fish in a bucket while you move everything over, then move the fish over.

05-21-2012, 08:49 PM	#3
Kyrol Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 223	You still have to worry about cycle keep an eye on ammonia just putting a seeded filter into an aquarium doesn't make it ready for fish. It does however help it along drastically.

05-21-2012, 08:53 PM	#4
wendyjo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC area Posts: 2,823	The cycle should be fine. He is not adding new fish, just moving everything over to a new tank. The bacteria in the tank and filter will only grow a large enough colony to support the bioload in the tank. Just because the new tank will be bigger doesn't mean he needs more bacteria in it if the bio load is the same. He's moving over the plants, decor, gravel and filter so there will be very little bacteria lost. As long as he's not adding new fish right away he shouldn't have any problems.

05-21-2012, 10:58 PM	#6
librarygirl Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (19/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 287	I agree, I've upgraded tanks twice now and did it that way and the fish were fine. I just added an air stone and heater to their holding bucket, I didn't bother trying to fix the filter on there; just keep the media wet if you don't use the filter. I didn't have a minicycle either time and I changed everything out both times except for the filter, but just test for a few days afterwards just in case. I added some Stress Coat to their holding bucket too, but if you don't have it don't worry about it. I think catching them to put them into the bucket and then back into the tank is going to be the most time consuming and stressful for them, so just do it slowly. If you have a lid for the holding bucket use it, just to prevent them jumping out and to keep them in darkness for less stress. Once you move them back into the new tank, keep the lights off until the next day and don't feed them until the next day. Good luck!

05-22-2012, 04:56 AM	#8
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Moving everything over is the best way to conserve the bacteria. If you are still worried you can look for a product that contains Nitrospira species of bacteria. Add a little when you do the change, then add a bit more if you add more fish or shrimp to the larger tank. Use it again when you re-set up the little tank. Nitrospiros are the actual species of nitrifying bacteria that you need in the system. I would not waste money on any product that does not specify that species of bacteria.

05-23-2012, 07:02 PM	#9
binako Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 79	Thanks for all your help, everyone! I switched tanks on Monday night; so far, everything looks good. The fish didn't seem too stressed during the change, and seem to be doing great now. I'll be keeping an especially close eye on ammonia levels and water parameters, though.

05-23-2012, 07:57 PM	#10
wendyjo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC area Posts: 2,823	Good job!

05-23-2012, 08:33 PM	#11
Fluval Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 27	If you can find a home, it would be better to give up one otocinclus and get two more tetras. Since they are schooling fish, they're better in numbers. I never go under 5 on schooling fish.

05-23-2012, 09:19 PM	#12
binako Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 79	I'll be picking up two or three more tetras once I'm sure that the new tank is settled, but I won't be giving up one of the otocinclus.