help with new tank

[dave2010]

Hi I have a small 28litre tank with a small royal pleco and a platty, I've got a new 180litre tank set up today, how can I transfer my fish to my new tank without having to cycle for months? If I put my old filter into my new tank would that work? I don't want to transfer any gravel or ornaments from my old tank as it is over run with snails and I don't want snails in my new tank, hope someone can help. Thanks

 

[fort384]

If you can transfer over the filter a/o filter media, you should speed along a cycle, and be able to transfer the fish right along with it. However, you are talking about a rather large tank in comparison to the previous, so it may take some time for the biofilter to catch up when you start adding more fish.

 

[dave2010]

Thanks for your reply I ended up moving my filter with my fish at the same time and everything has been fine over the past few days the water readings have been all spot on and the fish seem to be much happier in their larger tank. How long would I need to keep my old filter in the tank?

 

[fort384]

Are you running the new filter concurrently? If so I would say a couple weeks ought to be safe.

 

[dave2010]

Yes I'm running both the new external filter and the old internal filter at the same time. Ok thanks for your help