stoneydee
Aquarium Advice Freak
I have a 37 gallon tropical tank with Eclipse 3 filtration that I want to convert to a fancy goldfish tank (after finding suitable homes for the tropical fish, of course). I've got a couple of questions about the substrate and filtration. I already have one goldfish tank, so I'm familiar with what has worked (and hasn't) in the past.
First, I currently have combination sand and small gravel substrate. I really prefer larger (3/4" to 1") diameter gravel for the goldies, so I don't have to worry about anyone getting gravel caught in his mouth. The tropical tank has cycled, and I'm not going to touch the bio-wheel, but I wonder if laying a single layer of larger gravel over the existing substrate would be okay (or will I just cover up a lot of my nitrifying bacteria) or should I remove a portion of the existing substrate and replace it with the larger gravel?
Second, in my existing goldfish tank, I've got an internal canister filter in addition to the Eclipse 3 system with the bio-wheel. I have a spare canister filter (new in the box, same size). Should I take the filter out of the old tank to put in the new one, or just use the new canister filter in the "new" goldfish tank? (One of the lessons I learned with the first goldfish tank is that it is true, you cannot over filter a goldfish tank.)
Third, the existing goldfish tank is not heated, and remains at a pretty constant 72-74 degrees F, as my house is heated and cooled. Is there any significant benefit to heating the "new" tank, or should I just keep this heater for back-up for other tanks?
First, I currently have combination sand and small gravel substrate. I really prefer larger (3/4" to 1") diameter gravel for the goldies, so I don't have to worry about anyone getting gravel caught in his mouth. The tropical tank has cycled, and I'm not going to touch the bio-wheel, but I wonder if laying a single layer of larger gravel over the existing substrate would be okay (or will I just cover up a lot of my nitrifying bacteria) or should I remove a portion of the existing substrate and replace it with the larger gravel?
Second, in my existing goldfish tank, I've got an internal canister filter in addition to the Eclipse 3 system with the bio-wheel. I have a spare canister filter (new in the box, same size). Should I take the filter out of the old tank to put in the new one, or just use the new canister filter in the "new" goldfish tank? (One of the lessons I learned with the first goldfish tank is that it is true, you cannot over filter a goldfish tank.)
Third, the existing goldfish tank is not heated, and remains at a pretty constant 72-74 degrees F, as my house is heated and cooled. Is there any significant benefit to heating the "new" tank, or should I just keep this heater for back-up for other tanks?