The Puffer Forum

I am looking at upgrading my F8 tank from a 33 hex to a 40 regular (I will probably get more for my hex than I am paying for the 40, but at-least the 40 has more usable/running space.
I am just wondering...if I were to do a 100% transfer (Filters, substrate, plants. and 50%+ old water ) would the new tank face a much of a cycle??

I do not have the space (where I want to put the tank) to have the 2 running at once...

suggestions...

Nope.

Nope??...no suggestions or no mini cycle

I think if the same substrate and filter media is used, as well as the same # of fish, it will just be like a big water change. Obviously new water added should be the same temp & salinity, but you know that. Keep an eye on the params just in case, but if the new tank was cleaned properly and the filter(s) working I wouldn't worry. I did this about a month ago when I switched my F8 & tankmates to my 35 without problems.

There will be no cycle

I don't think you even need to transfer the water as there are no bacteria floating in the water

yellow wrote:There will be no cycle

I don't think you even need to transfer the water as there are no bacteria floating in the water

Water transfer is more to prevent any large parameter changes in PH/KH and SG (nitrates a none issue as they are less than 10 anyway)...it will also help mediate any temperature variations...as OraLacerta said...kinda like a big water change...I guess I wasn't sure how much bacteria there is on the tank (glass) itself (I know it is predominately in the filter), and if that would have any effect...
But thnx for the replies...and peace of mind

Your plan sounds perfect!

You asked a question. "I am just wondering...if I were to do a 100% transfer (Filters, substrate, plants. and 50%+ old water ) would the new tank face a much of a cycle??" I answered the question: "Nope". What more do you want?

Got the answer I was looking for..thnx all

Boxermom...I just wanted to be sure, You know what they say about the word "assume"
Besides there were 2 questions, one implicit and one explicit

Edit
:34: ...this really is a PG site tried to write buttocks-u-me instead of assume and look what you get...

And the answer to "suggestions..." was also "Nope." Two questions, one answer. Nice and succinct!

I remember there was a debate once about Bio-Spira for Brackish and I think RTR said that fresh-water Bio Spira should work in a brackish tank. So, if you are worried, maybe buy a container of it ($14.95 at my LFS) and pour it in when you do the transfer. Won't hurt - might help. Am I wrong?

FW Bio-spira should work into the mid teen SG range... Unfortunately, it's not available in Canada

So far I have not needed it...Transfer complete (a week ago)...2 F8's now in their new home, 46Gal Marineland Bowfront, I transfered all the gravel, decorations, and filters. The only questionable thing I did was replace one filter with a larger one(replaced an Aquaclear 20 with an Aquaclear 70, but I managed to fit all the media from the old filter in the new one, to innoculate the new sponge and biomax.
So given the volume of water (and sparce stocking) and 2 filters running with established media...I am not too concerned about the tank going through any kind of major cycle.

Most stressful part was transfering the lil guys outta the tank (without exposing them to air) and putting them in a bucket. They did not like that one bit...stressed the heck out of them (one went pale, the other tried jumping out). Once the new tank was ready and I put them in...they raced up and down the glass a few times, then they stopped, turned around, saw how much more room they had (previous tank was a 33Hex), They gave me a fish version of OMG and they were off.
Now the days are spent exploring, and body surfing in the Aquaclear70's wake. I will post a pic in a while...the tank still looks a little missmatched since I had to deplete my stock of old decorations in order to fill the tank... some of the old decorations are pretty ratty