Moving with tanks

[djbvaranus]

It’s been awhile since I last posted(years ago) but I’m in a bit of a predicament that I need some advice on. I currently have a 75g and a 90g tank with various fish in each tank, where I live right now I have well water which is good, my last location I also had well water. I’m moving this weekend to a house that runs on city water and was wondering what’s the best/fastest way to combat that problem when moving the tanks and setting them back up as well as doing water changes I the future? Also I just purchased a 125g that I’m gonna set up, move my fish from my 90g to the 125g then move the 90g and take the fish from the 75g and put them in the 90g. My question here is cycling the tank.. this all has to be done over the course of a couple days. Will somehow using most of the water out of the 90g to start off the 125 as well as using the already cycled tanks gravel and filters be good enough for an “instant” cycle ? I’d obviously need more gravel in the 125g but I plan on adding new gravel mixed in with the current gravel when I set the tank up, sorry for the long post I hope it makes sense I look forward to hearing other people’s thoughts on the best way I should go about this. Thank you

-Derek

 

[tlindsey]

It’s been awhile since I last posted(years ago) but I’m in a bit of a predicament that I need some advice on. I currently have a 75g and a 90g tank with various fish in each tank, where I live right now I have well water which is good, my last location I also had well water. I’m moving this weekend to a house that runs on city water and was wondering what’s the best/fastest way to combat that problem when moving the tanks and setting them back up as well as doing water changes I the future? Also I just purchased a 125g that I’m gonna set up, move my fish from my 90g to the 125g then move the 90g and take the fish from the 75g and put them in the 90g. My question here is cycling the tank.. this all has to be done over the course of a couple days. Will somehow using most of the water out of the 90g to start off the 125 as well as using the already cycled tanks gravel and filters be good enough for an “instant” cycle ? I’d obviously need more gravel in the 125g but I plan on adding new gravel mixed in with the current gravel when I set the tank up, sorry for the long post I hope it makes sense I look forward to hearing other people’s thoughts on the best way I should go about this. Thank you

-Derek

I personally would first off make sure that the bio media stays wet. Totes from Wal-Mart for transporting the Fish and battery operated air pumps will be great if are traveling far. I suggest purchasing Seachem Prime for removing chlorine which will be in your city water and will kill your bio bacteria and dangerous for fish. Don't worry about hauling a lot of water because it won't benefit anything. Also gravel , ornaments, and driftwood will have beneficial bacteria on them so keep them moist also.

 

[hibackgoldaro]

water does not hold benefical bacteria, the media in your filters do (and substrate in tanks)...in my past previous moves..i used big rubber maid containers to transfer and house my fish until i can get the tank set up properly...you can also keep your canister filters up and running also with these tubs...since you are switching to city water, you'll need to use Prime or some other sort of dechorinator for water changes...

 

[djbvaranus]

Does prime work instantly or will I have to treat buckets of water for a certain amount of time before doing water changes? I figured if I took all my gravel out of the 90g and put it in the 125g along with all the decor, some new gravel mixed in, and my filters that I’d be good to go I’m just worried about losing any fish, I already have bins and portable air pumps for if I drive a far distance to pick up new stock. For filters on my 90g I have two canister filters (both rated for 525gph) along with a marineland HOB(400gph) and an Aqueon HOB(400gph). I’ve always felt it best to have as much filtration as possible, good to know about moving water I felt like it would be a waste but I wasn’t quite sure

 

[tlindsey]

Does prime work instantly or will I have to treat buckets of water for a certain amount of time before doing water changes? I figured if I took all my gravel out of the 90g and put it in the 125g along with all the decor, some new gravel mixed in, and my filters that I’d be good to go I’m just worried about losing any fish, I already have bins and portable air pumps for if I drive a far distance to pick up new stock. For filters on my 90g I have two canister filters (both rated for 525gph) along with a marineland HOB(400gph) and an Aqueon HOB(400gph). I’ve always felt it best to have as much filtration as possible, good to know about moving water I felt like it would be a waste but I wasn’t quite sure

Yes Prime will work instantly just treat water before adding to the aquarium.
I recommend having a freshwater test kit if you don't have one to monitor water parameters.

 

[djbvaranus]

I have the API master test kit. Are there any test kits that detect chlorine? Just so I can be positive it’s good ? I’m gonna contact the water dept. tomorrow and see if they treat with both chlorine and Chloramine or if they just use one or the other. So treat the water before adding it correct? What if I’m using a python off a sink to fill up the tanks ? Would it be okay to add the water to the tank and then treat it or treat first then add water(during water changes) or will that short exposure time to the chlorine cause adverse affects to my fish. I prefer to use the python instead of making a mess walking back and forth with 5g buckets from the shower haha

 

[tlindsey]

I have the API master test kit. Are there any test kits that detect chlorine? Just so I can be positive it’s good ? I’m gonna contact the water dept. tomorrow and see if they treat with both chlorine and Chloramine or if they just use one or the other. So treat the water before adding it correct? What if I’m using a python off a sink to fill up the tanks ? Would it be okay to add the water to the tank and then treat it or treat first then add water(during water changes) or will that short exposure time to the chlorine cause adverse affects to my fish. I prefer to use the python instead of making a mess walking back and forth with 5g buckets from the shower haha

You are on top of your game by contacting the water company. Tbh I still do things the old way with bucket's but I will let other members chime in on the Python question.

 

[djbvaranus]

I do it now with buckets. The reason I’m moving is I’m in the process of building my house right now and in the mean time I don’t wanna pay out the @$$ for rent and utilities while paying to build a house so we are moving back in with my mother in law until the house is done. She doesn’t mind the Fishtank’s but I know for a fact she would bug out if I started lugging buckets of water across her living room floor

 

[tlindsey]

You are on top of your game by contacting the water company. Tbh I still do things the old way with bucket's but I will let other members chime in on the Python question.

I think they may have a Chlorine test at home improvement stores. Just saw Chlorine test kits online.

 

[tlindsey]

I do it now with buckets. The reason I’m moving is I’m in the process of building my house right now and in the mean time I don’t wanna pay out the @$$ for rent and utilities while paying to build a house so we are moving back in with my mother in law until the house is done. She doesn’t mind the Fishtank’s but I know for a fact she would bug out if I started lugging buckets of water across her living room floor

Ok I understand and congrats on the new home.