Transfering my 20G communty tank to a new 50G

[Raherin]

I have never done a transfer before, and I am just wanting to make sure I'm doing things properly.


I have an established [I think, at least] 20G tank, with a slightly overstocked community in it.

There is a lot of plants in the tank, also, just a FYI.

Last night I filled up my empty 50G tank with water, setup an aquaclear 50G filter, and have it running now. I've added some Nutrafin cycle last night, and will keep adding some each day. Heater will arrive in about 4-5 days. I intend to move all the ornaments to the 50g as well. I'd like to move the fish in the next week, or two, depending on how this usually words, although I'm not totally looking to rush, I'm just excited, haha.

Any advice on how to do this, in case I'm missing anything? Also, any advice on how to quicken the growth of the beneficial bacteria.

thanks!!!

P.S. Hopefully I haven't overlooked a thread already on this, if so, please let me know if you know any [or a resource]!
P.P.S. Should I be adding any fish early, to help establish bacteria? [no heater till later this week though]

derek

[Brent]

Instead of using Nutrafin Cycle, which is useless IMO, just take some filter media / substrate from your existing tank and put that in to instant cycle. Then you can add your fish, plants, etc. right away.

[e]

Wait until your heater comes in before doing the above, however, so as to keep the temperature tropical as your bacteria would die from the cold, and as you would need to transfer everything over within a day or two so your filter bacteria doesn't die off from lack of food.

[SammyDee]

yea n buy water test to determine if its established well enuf and just for future maintenance

[Raherin]

Instead of using Nutrafin Cycle, which is useless IMO, just take some filter media / substrate from your existing tank and put that in to instant cycle. Then you can add your fish, plants, etc. right away.

[e]

Wait until your heater comes in before doing the above, however, so as to keep the temperature tropical as your bacteria would die from the cold, and as you would need to transfer everything over within a day or two so your filter bacteria doesn't die off from lack of food.

Ahh okay. Is it that brand of product that is useless, or is it all products like that? If that's the case, I'll stop buying them, they are expensive. I have heard a couple people saying this. I'll try to get my heater sooner too.

yea n buy water test to determine if its established well enuf and just for future maintenance

Done in advance. ;]

[Brent]

Well Dr. Tims seems to work, as well as one other in which the name escapes me, however the rest don't generally work. A more experienced member may chime in and give you the reason behind that, for I'm not sure... All I know is, those products are generally just a waste of money.

Good to hear. (:

[Pufferpunk]

As long as you move everything from the existing tank to the new one (including the filter/material), your new tank will be cycled. No need for any other products. Cycle is garbage in a bottle & a total waste of $$$. Once a biological system is established, there is absolutely no reason to add more bacteria, unless you are adding more fish. Dr
Tim's has had good success.

[Raherin]

Okay, I just finished transferring them! It seems okay, but, I guess I'll know for sure tomorrow morning. And man, my larger Yo-Yo loach....wtf they are such good evaders. Took me almost 20 minutes to get the bugger. I was trying hard not to hurt him...so that was my handicap, lol.


Here is a quick video of my dwarf rainbow from my good tank, establishing a pecking order against the three weaker rainbows from a poorly kept/fed 10g tank my friend gave me.

Hopefully this is okay behavior. Seems like my dwarf is feeling like a bully.



He's not doing this constantly, but a lot. Hopefully it doesn't stress them out too much. And, I never noticed how nice his fins are when he sticks them out. Really nice display. Should I be adding a female to this mix?

[Raherin]

Lol, one of them got smart. I thought this was kinda cool. One of the rainbows are hiding in a floating log.

[Raherin]

Okay, so I'm having some issues with my neon dwarf rainbows, or, one of them at least.

They've come from very different environments.

My single dwarf rainbow has been in my community tank for months, alone, mingling with the other fish. Pretty decent behavior...apparently his own species brings the worst out in him.

The other 3 rainbows are super friendly, and have been in a 10g tank for about a year. And when they are free of the bully, they play around pretty nicely.

When I have all 4 together, the single rainbow chases the others around, cornering them and such, fanning out his fins, almost relentlessly. The other 3 seem to have nipped fins, not sure if it's from the bigger guy or not, probably.

Is this normal? The 3 are so friendly together, and really cheery. However, once I add the bigger rainbow he just goes nuts, and he probably is stressing these guys out.

Now, I moved the trouble maker to my 10g ghostshrimp/snail tank, until I can figure out what to do. Although, I know they don't like to be alone...

Any advice?

Thanks!

Any advice?