The Puffer Forum

Could you give me some feedback on this idea please?

I currently have a GSP tank around 30 gallons, established about 10 months.
2 GSP will be looking for larger tank once i have successfully moved!!
Internal filter
Just added three weeks ago external canister

Due to move in next few weeks, not sure what do to when i move. Read various threads on numerous sites. I will obviously need to empty the tank to move it.

So if i transfer tank including current substrate and filter media, re-fill the tank with new water (ahhhh). At some point i wish to do away with the internal filter, so can i squeeze these filters into the water and just use external filter? To minimise cycle problems? I cant find bio spira in uk

Please excuse me if i sound ignorant...i grasping at straws at moment as not quite sure how im going to move my puppies.

Jodi

Keep the power filters. Definitely don't squeeze the media into the water - it will just put back all the junk it collected. Let them run for awhile after you get your new filter. This gives the new filter time to seed with bacteria.

I currently have an internal and external filter.

My concern is how to move and have an already cycled tank before my puffers get

When moving, keep all your filter media in tank water so the bacteria doesn't die. Then when you refill the tank its just like you did a 100% water change. You can also keep the substrate in some water also.

I'm not sure I understand the problem.

As long as you keep the filter media submerged in tank water the bacteria will be able to survive the couple of hours needed to make the journey.

The important thing will be to be prepared to move quickly and get the tank torn down, moved over, and set up again as quickly as possible.

A 5g bucket with a lid makes a good puffer carrier if need be.

my problem is im a bit of a novice, and hear so many problems about doing massive water changes.

When I moved, I moved my fish in big storage bins or coolers, not bagged. It was a long drive so I ran an airstone on a battery powered pump to keep their water circulating and give them oxygen. I took the biomedia (biomax and sponges) out of the filters and left it in the containers with the fish, both to give them some bacteria and to keep the bacteria alive.

I fully intended to set the tanks up immediately when we arrived, but there was too much stuff to do. So I put the filters right on the containers the fish were in, and they just had to run like that for a day or two while I got the tanks set up. Internal filters and cannisters are perfect for doing something like that.

Massive water changes won't be a problem unless you've REALLY been slacking on doing regular water changes.

FAB, thanks for the advice, i feel more at ease now.

Any other suggestions greatly appreciated

jodi

Don't feed them for a few days before you move, they'll pollute the water less.

Have some Seachem Prime on hand in case there are any ammonia/nitrite spikes after the move.