New Tank Setup w/Existing BB

[ThaDude]

I'm curious as to what ya'll think of this method.

I'm setting up a new 55.

I have a 75, 40, 30, and 20 established.

I was going to siphon 30% out of each tank into the new 55.

The filters on the 55 are the same type of HOB as my 75.
I was going to take out 4 of the 8 cartridges from the 75 and use them on the 55 (putting 4 brand new cartridges in the 75's filter)

I was also planning on using 50% new gravel and 50% established gravel.
As well as a couple 'established' rocks.

Would I be able to immediatley put fish in the 55?

 

[anhtu402]

From what I've read, you should let a few days for the existing BB to thrive and more to grow and expand. But that's what I've read, not from my personal experience.

However, what I would do in addition to that is to buy Seachem's Stability and use that in conjunction with what you're doing, AND add fishes at the same time.

 

[ThaDude]

Wouldn't the BB need to feed on ammonia to 'thrive'?

As far as adding fish, I was more or less going to add 1 immediatley, then 1 once a week after that.

I've never been much for using chemicals that aren't 100% necessary.. what does the seachem stability do?

 

[bob965]

If you're using old media for the 55g, as well as some old gravel, you should be good to go. Especially since you're only adding one fish to start. Just monitor your parameters to make sure it's actually cycled. Monitor your 75g too, to watch for a mini-cycle, since you're taking half the media away. As long as you're using dechlorinator, I wouldn't waste time taking the water from the other tanks. The BB live on solid surfaces, and using the old water doesn't really help you any.