advice about setting up new tank with old filters and decorations

[biohazardcustomz]

im moving up for my new guys and im using old deco and gravel but since the tank is much larger i had to buy some new gravel as well. i kind of combined two smaller tanks into one larger. so i have a marineland 30 gal biowheel and a 50 gallon biowheel both from fully established and cycled tanks, about 25 pounds of established gravel and 25 pounds of new gravel. i might need more gravel but its plenty for now. there is over an inch on the bottom if not more in other spots. the tank is a 55 tall. its 36 inch long 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall. im guesstimating as i dont have a tape measure lying around at the moment but i know its about that tall. it looks like a big 40 breeder.

anywho for the questions. 1) if the water is still a little cloudy from the moving of everything and seeding the new tank with older media how long should i wait before i put my fish back in. they are in my other smaller tanks in breeder nets to separate them until this fiasco is over and they can go into their new home.

2) should that be enough beneficial bacteria on the deco and two filters to keep the tank cycled. stocking for now is 4 rams, 2 baby senegal bichers at 2", and a couple tiger barbs. so not a large bio load.

thanks all

 

[creepyoldguy]

Your tank is a breeder footprint. The higher the tank the more gallons. I believe there are 30,40,50 and 65g with a 36x18 footprint. As long as you set the tank up right away and have fish in to feed the cycle, you should be ok. Just treat the water and check the water paramets daily. Adjust your w/c schedule accordingly to test results.

 

[biohazardcustomz]

thanks for the info. i placed my group of tiger barbs in there first to kinda "test the water" because im always nervous about used tanks. i cleaned it out best i could by myself but i always worry about previous owners using soap or chemicals to clean the tank with and it killing my stock when i set it up. im gonna let them hang out in there for a little while. they seem to enjoy all the open space to swim around in (duh). but ill keep my eyes on them and my water parameters. ill be checking nitrite nitrate and ammonia levels twice daily. i dont want to loose any of my rams. i already want to buy a few more once the tank gets settled for a few weeks. any other suggestions.