upgrading tank

[plags]

We have bought a 180l tank to replace our 70l tank. Can we do anything to speed up the cycle of the new tank by using gravel, filters,water from our old tank? We have added "cycle" but after reading lots of reports this doesn't seem to work too well.

[tkos]

Move all of the the old stuff to the new tank and it will kick start the cycle. The old tank water shouldn't be used as very little bacteria is free floating. Using the old filter is a great idea. I assume you will getting a bigger filter system for the new tank so I would run both at the same time. Still you will have to test the water and do frequent water changes while things balance out. Good luck.

[plags]

what do i do with my fish ? both are jewel systems and so filters are same for both so thats not a problem. Have real plants both new and old tank. Thanks for help

[peterp]

Hi Plags,
what do you mean by jewel systems?

Your water volume is almost tripling in the new tank, so a filter that was able to handel a 70l tank than will not have the capacity to move enough water for a 180l.
Unless your 70l was over filtered(if that is possible).

If you need to keep both tanks running for a while, taking some of the substrate from the old to the new will speed things up, as would taking some of the bio portion of the old filter to the new filter.

You would need some cycling fish(I use swordtails and guppies) in the new tank to provide feed for the bacteria to keep it alive and growing.

[plags]

i mean i can use one of the filter pads from the old system into the new system as they are both same make of aquarium. obviously the new tank filter is stronger but the filter pads are the same if you see what i mean. I have 3 mollies in there to cycle tank

[Allivymar]

If the filter media fits in both systems, just use the old filter media in the new filter. If not, run both filters on the new tank for a couple of weeks to let the new media get colonised as tkos suggested.

I'm guessing you are moving everyone and everything into the new tank. If so, set up the tank with the old decor, fresh treated water, heater, old gravel (carefully pull it out of the old tank; maybe using a net to take it out?). Give it a few hours for things to settle (the gravel will likely cloud the water a bit sinces its full of stuff) and the heater to bring the new tank temps up to speed, pop the filters on and add the fish.

Double check your water parameters frequently; chances are since the bacterial colonies are the right size to deal with the number of fish you have, and you are moving most of the colony, you will most likely not see any ammonia or nitrite spikes. Better to be safe tho.

[plags]

Yes plants, fish and rocks are all moving. However we were not going to put all the old gravel in as we wanted to use medium gravel this time instead of fine. saying this we would be able add some of it. so would it be ok then to put filter pads in from old tank, some gravel and then move everything over in one go if we closely monitored the levels and did frequent water changes.

My fish are............2 dwarf gouramis, 3 neon tetra, 3 balloon mollies,3 Harlequin Rasbora, 2 swordtails+baby, silver shark and pl*c.
Any ideas on additions to these in the future when the new tank is established? What about a pair of Angels?

[peterp]

I think (them who know more correct me ) just bagging some of the old gravel in a net bag(s) and putting it in the new tank would work and would let you remove them when the new tank it up and running.

[Allivymar]

PeterP addressed the gravel issue well I concur.

You may be able to add a pair of angels to the tank, but that will pretty much top out your bio-load. You've got some fish in there who may outgrow that size tank as is. What sort of plec is it? If its a common plec, he's gonna get to be 1-2 feet long full grown, and add LOTS of waste. Too big for a 170L, especially with all the other fish in there.

[tkos]

The silver shark is going to get too big for that tank. But if I were you I would add a whole bunch more neon tetras. A big school is great. And more rasboras. Those are both schooling fish that really display better in larger groups.

[plags]

We were sold the shark and pl*c by the shop in the early days before we discovered these sites!!! you trust these people. Will just have to keep getting a bigger tank!

[Allivymar]

LOL I did the same thing. When I first started a tank, I had an ~8g hex tank. Had 2 angelfish AND a plec. Can you imagine?? Now everyone is living happily in a nice 55g, and if the plec starts outgrowing THAT, I'll be selling him back to the lfs LOL

[tkos]

The problem with that shark is that he may start eating some of the smalelr fish in the tank while he is growing. Remeber if you get a bigger tank that you get a long tank. Longer is always better than higher. More room to swim.

Hopefully that pleco might not be common, though they generally are (hense the name common).

[plags]

well the deeds been done!! all fish,plants and filter media along with gravel are now in new tank.Shark decided to jump out when we were trying to catch him so was quite stressed at first but is settling down. other fish all seem ok will monitor closely over the next few weeks and will check water parameters daily. fingers crossed