135 gallon upgrade advice

[hacksaw_dan]

Hello Everyone,

I currently have an 8 year old, 12" tiger Oscar, and an 8 year old, 15" pleco in a 55 gallon tank. I am getting ready to upgrade to a 135 gallon, and I have several questions I hope someone can help me with. First of all, is cycling a freshwater tank really necessary? Over the past several weeks, I have been taking 10-15 gallons per week of water out of my 55 gallon, and storing it in a new trash can, with an air stone in the bottom. (I have about 40 gallons stored). Can't I just use all of my stored water, as well as all of my water from my 55 gallon, and add 40 gallons of "new" de-chlorinated water? I am also planing on mixing some of my old substrate, with the new. I am also planning on using 2 emperor 400's for filtration, and (2) rena 200w rena heaters. Does this sound alright? Any other suggestions would be helpful.

thank you,

Dan

 

[saberry]

I would continue to check the water parameters. You may want to get some filtration going, add some bio-spria (if you can find it) and a few fish to keep the beneficial bacteria level up.

 

[flipz]

Cycling is necessary yes, but if you transfer over stuff like water, substrate, decorations, and especially the filter media, then it will do an "instant" cycle. so in theory your tank is cycled, but you don't have to wait.

here's the problem. you are storing your water, in trash cans, for several weeks. without a source of ammonia, the good bacterias will die. your stored cycled water is now just water. sorry to say.

your best bet is once you get the 120, you siphon water from the 55 into the 120, move over most of the substrate and decorations, and old filter media. i would recommend putting extra media in your 55 right now, so that you can move some over, but leave the filter(s) running in your 55 for however long you need to.

i hope that helps some. goodluck!

-brent

PS- WELCOME TO AA!!!

 

[BrianNY]

hiya Hacksaw. Cycling refers to the balance between nitrifying bacteria and waste producing fish. Basically you need something for the bacteria to grab hold of. Filter media and gravel will contain some. IME the best way to achieve what you're trying to do is with sponge filters. Get 2 Hydro IVs and run them in your 55gal for 2 weeks. Then move the filters in the 135 when you move the fish.

 

[deli_conker]

The bacteria that make up the cycle colonize the surfaces of the tank rather than living in the actual water. BrianNY's suggestion of the sponge filters is an inexpensive way to jump start your 135.

The only reason I would keep water like what you are doing is to maintain ph. Your oscar likes low ph. If your tap water isn't off much from your tank water, then saving water really isn't that big of a necessity.

Another question, are these two fish going to be the only occupants of the new tank? And is the new tank going to be in a new location (i.e. not where the 55 is now)?

There are some good articles regarding the cycle in the "articles" section of this web site. Check them out if you haven't already as they are good reading for any fishkeeper of any experience level.

 

[William]

You really need to worry about the cycle, because you have two very large fish, that produce a great deal of waste.


and they will kill themselves with ammonia before the bacteria colonizes the new tank, so I definately aggree with what everyone else has said about moving decorations, filtration and everything from the 55gal, to the new tank. So your old guys don't suffer.