Help going from 29 Gal to 75+ plywood tank.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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benjamc

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2009
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Bellevue, Nebraska
I have had a 29 Gal tank with a ever growing Oscar and a Placo for about 1 year. I'm looking into making myself a larger 75-125gal tank this spring. Now what is the easiest method to transfer my fish to the new tank without getting them sick or shocked or dead!! Should I tranfer all the water to the new tank, or start with all new water and let it run a few days before any fish go in....

Also, I've not seen to many plywood tank DIY that explains good ways to integrate a nice filtration system. Since it is custom there are now many options for making access holes in the back to run flow in and out.

What is a good filtration system for this large of a tank?
 
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php
It is good that your OSCAR is getting a new home. Is he stunted at all? Mine got to 10 inch give or take on the first year and then grew another inch in the next few months. He succumbed to a "natural disaster." ANYWAYS...





My 75 gallon tank has a sump pump so I didn't have to buy an actual filter, I just put filter media in the sump. Buy a high power filter like emperor or penguin, those are popular so they must be good.

Here's what I do to transfer fish into a new tank from an old one! This is virtually ammonia free solution! (instant cycling)

Fill the tank with fairly warm water and declorinate the water, let it stir a little. THEN put in your heater (with such a big upgrade you might want to buy another heater) and use it to get the water to a temp as close as possible to your tank's water. It doesn't matter if all the water is from the original tank but I am sure the PH might be different in mature tank water than tap water.

THEN Transfer all the gravel and initially all the filter media and just let it sit there filtering, THEN you can add your fishes almost immediately. That is what I do and it works out fine. If you want to change substrate without a minicycle you put gravel in an ugly bucket and put it in the tank, then add the new substrate all around. Remove a lil gravel every day and the bacteria should settle into the sand or gravel you are going to use.



It is alright if you use the filter forever from your old tank combined with a new one. IF you wish you can instant cycle your 29 gallon by taking your old gravel out a little at a time and adding tiny fish in small batches to the tank. In any case don't buy too many (if any) more fish for your new plywood tank. It should be nicely stocked by some people;s standards. GOOD LUCK!
 
hey...im sorry that this has nothing to do with your question, but i just saw that seds has a charlie the unicorn reference....YOU ARE MY HERO!!
 
:D

CANDY MOUNTAIN! Fill me with sweet sugary goodnessss!
 
Thanks, sounds like a good way to do it. I can't wait to start building a tank. I think 100 Gallons will be my target.
I want to integrate my 29 Gal tank into it somehow. I think filling it with plants and a few shrimp or crayfish to help clean the water and remove contaminates.
Maybe water from the main tank goes into the filter then into the plant and shrimp tank then back into the oscar main tank. Hmm....
 
IMO dont bother building a 75g. You can easily buy one new or used cheaper than making it most likely. To build a tank you need to go big to make it cost effective.

Use your 29g as a sump on a bigger tank. I had a 29g DIY sump on a 125g reef tank for years.
 
You're right. It's expensive for the glass and epoxy. I might just wait for a good deal for a 75 gal+ on craigslist. I just missed out on a nice one with stand for 100 bucks. Damn! I think i will silicone a sheet of acrylic in a larger tank with plants and little critters on one side and oscars in the other.
The plants will help with nitrates I think and the little critters like a couple crayfish or fresh water shrimp will eat some left over food from the oscar. I think about 1/5 will be dedicated to plants and critters. 4/5 oscar and pleco side
 
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