smithw14
Aquarium Advice Regular
Hey all -
I need some advice. I have been doing some reading on cycling tanks, but can't decide what is the best way to get my new tank cycled given my situation. Let me explain.
I bought a used 55g tank and stand, and am moving a 3" gourami, a crayfish, and a 3" oscar over from my 20g. I am moving across the country in a year so I am not worried about them getting too big for the 55g tank - I am going to sell them back before I move. I have heard that I could transfer the water from the current tank over to the new one to help in the cycling process, but I am going to keep my angelfish in the 20g, so I can't get rid of all the water.
So what is the best way to cycle my tank? I read that I need to get some hardy fish (like mollies) to put in there to help it cycle, but I also read that I need to get hardy fish for the tank that I want to KEEP in the tank after its cycled. Well, I don't want anything else in that 55g tank, so I'm stuck.
I also read that once the tank is cycled, I need to introduce the fish to it one at a time over a period of time so as not to overload the filter or whatnot. How long is a good amount of time to wait between each fish? Also, doesnt that conflict with a theory I have heard that introducing all your fish together to a new environment will help in them all getting along as opposed to one being the "new fish" on the block and the others bullying it.
As far as setting up the heater in the new tank, should I wait until I put the fish in once my tank is cycled before I start up the heater, and just slowly inch it up to the desired temp over a few days, or get the water heated and ready at the right temp. I ask because there is no heater in the 20g, so it would be a 3-5 degree immediate change if I just switched them over immediatly.
Hmm, I think that is all my questions. Thanks for your advice!
-William
I need some advice. I have been doing some reading on cycling tanks, but can't decide what is the best way to get my new tank cycled given my situation. Let me explain.
I bought a used 55g tank and stand, and am moving a 3" gourami, a crayfish, and a 3" oscar over from my 20g. I am moving across the country in a year so I am not worried about them getting too big for the 55g tank - I am going to sell them back before I move. I have heard that I could transfer the water from the current tank over to the new one to help in the cycling process, but I am going to keep my angelfish in the 20g, so I can't get rid of all the water.
So what is the best way to cycle my tank? I read that I need to get some hardy fish (like mollies) to put in there to help it cycle, but I also read that I need to get hardy fish for the tank that I want to KEEP in the tank after its cycled. Well, I don't want anything else in that 55g tank, so I'm stuck.
I also read that once the tank is cycled, I need to introduce the fish to it one at a time over a period of time so as not to overload the filter or whatnot. How long is a good amount of time to wait between each fish? Also, doesnt that conflict with a theory I have heard that introducing all your fish together to a new environment will help in them all getting along as opposed to one being the "new fish" on the block and the others bullying it.
As far as setting up the heater in the new tank, should I wait until I put the fish in once my tank is cycled before I start up the heater, and just slowly inch it up to the desired temp over a few days, or get the water heated and ready at the right temp. I ask because there is no heater in the 20g, so it would be a 3-5 degree immediate change if I just switched them over immediatly.
Hmm, I think that is all my questions. Thanks for your advice!
-William