Making the switch from a 15 to 30g tank...
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:46 am
I currently have my GSP (1.5") in a 15g brackish (1.005) tank. Upon the excellent advice of TPF, I am happy to say that I'm getting things together and will switch him to a 30g tank soon (Aqueon). I have a few questions regarding the switch:
1) I plan on changing my filter to an Aquaclear 30. Can I just put my old filter media into the new filter to help cycle the tank quicker, or would it be better to run both filters in the tank at the same time?
2) If #1 isn't enough, then I don't mind getting Dr. Tim's One and Only. If it's a brackish tank, should I get the Na H20 Pure for Saltwater aquariums, or the Reef Pure? Considering it's not full SW, is there a possibility that this step will be a waste and the bacteria won't survive?
3) And judging from another post, it doesn't seem to be helpful to seek out "live" sand. Does the dead bacteria hurt in any way though? Any recommendations for substrate that you like?
I probably forgot some other questions and will probably add them along when I remember or encounter them, thanks for helping with these ones. Any other tips for making the switch from one tank to another would be really helpful too, as I want to make the move as easy as possible for him. Thanks.
Also, another random but unrelated FEEDING question: When feeding mussels to Koopa, I usually freeze the mussel (including one side of shell), thaw it out in lukewarm water, then drop it into the tank. I keep it in there for about 2-3 min, basically the time it takes for him to get 4 large bites with a fairly round tummy, then scoop it out and refreeze it for another day. Is this okay? I like having the mussel shell in there for opportune teeth grinding, but I don't know if this is too much or too little or if it's detrimental to water quality to dunk the whole thing in.
1) I plan on changing my filter to an Aquaclear 30. Can I just put my old filter media into the new filter to help cycle the tank quicker, or would it be better to run both filters in the tank at the same time?
2) If #1 isn't enough, then I don't mind getting Dr. Tim's One and Only. If it's a brackish tank, should I get the Na H20 Pure for Saltwater aquariums, or the Reef Pure? Considering it's not full SW, is there a possibility that this step will be a waste and the bacteria won't survive?
3) And judging from another post, it doesn't seem to be helpful to seek out "live" sand. Does the dead bacteria hurt in any way though? Any recommendations for substrate that you like?
I probably forgot some other questions and will probably add them along when I remember or encounter them, thanks for helping with these ones. Any other tips for making the switch from one tank to another would be really helpful too, as I want to make the move as easy as possible for him. Thanks.
Also, another random but unrelated FEEDING question: When feeding mussels to Koopa, I usually freeze the mussel (including one side of shell), thaw it out in lukewarm water, then drop it into the tank. I keep it in there for about 2-3 min, basically the time it takes for him to get 4 large bites with a fairly round tummy, then scoop it out and refreeze it for another day. Is this okay? I like having the mussel shell in there for opportune teeth grinding, but I don't know if this is too much or too little or if it's detrimental to water quality to dunk the whole thing in.