NEWBIE IN Distress

[Coues]

What I meant is during the cycling process since he apparently is a first time owner and doesn't have the 55 gal yet. They might not die, but they do more often than not. Even for experienced aquarists it's hard to set up/cycle a tank with no losses, that's why it's recommended that you do not start off with the fish you want to keep, some might even survive but are permanently damaged due to being exposed to high ammonia, nitrites, chemicals, ph/water hardness/temperature swings, stress, and countless other things.

I'm just being realistic

Sounds as if you're not too familiar with the cycling process yourself. Done properly, you shouldn't lose any fish.

 

[Mokujin22]

The best way to cycle the new tank for him would be to get the new filter for the larger tank and run that on the established tank for a couple of weeks. Swap all contents (gravel, water, decorations, fish) over to the new tanks and run both filters for a while. Wait for at least a week or so to add to the bioload and you should be fine.

 

[cacichlids]

Sounds as if you're not too familiar with the cycling process yourself. Done properly, you shouldn't lose any fish.

Properly ≠ 3 messy, aggressive, potentially big Cichlids already living in a 10 gal, waiting to be transferred to a brand new 55 gal ~at some point~

I guess we weren't reading the same post

And 2 weeks ago I set up a 120 gal in about 6 hours, 10 fish (including 6 cichlids) were introduced the same day with no losses, in fact they are already breeding. but thanks for your concern.

 

[nana07202]

all of the info i've recieve is very helpful now im thinking about forget the 55 and go straight for a 100 set it up first do wut Artes said and jus cross my fingers

 

[Maccoy]

You will be fine. the 100 isnt a bad idea having a larger tank in the beginning of the hobby would have help me out tons. Your fish will NOT die in the transfer unless you literally beat them to death. Most people here are real careful with their fish and thats the right thing to do, however I have cycled many tanks with fish in them without any hint of a problem. Your fish are small so dont do huge water changes. 5g per day is what I found out works for me and you will just fine. Best way to make sure your tank is ok is take some filter media from your already cycled tank and add it to your larger tank. You ever need help or have any question hit me up with a Pm

 

[artes]

The only reason I can think of they would die in transfer is if you have a weird temperature spike. Fill the tank, add the cycler, add a heater, stabilize the temperature, then move them over. I speak from personal experience... I lost two beloved fish from a surprise temperature spike. ;_;

 

[Coues]

I guess we weren't reading the same post

Didn't need to read his post. I was commenting on yours:

They might not die, but they do more often than not. Even for experienced aquarists it's hard to set up/cycle a tank with no losses, that's why it's recommended that you do not start off with the fish you want to keep, some might even survive but are permanently damaged due to being exposed to high ammonia, nitrites, chemicals, ph/water hardness/temperature swings, stress, and countless other things.

^^^This is an asinine statement.

And 2 weeks ago I set up a 120 gal in about 6 hours, 10 fish (including 6 cichlids) were introduced the same day with no losses, in fact they are already breeding. but thanks for your concern.

 

[Jason_S]

The best way to cycle the new tank for him would be to get the new filter for the larger tank and run that on the established tank for a couple of weeks. Swap all contents (gravel, water, decorations, fish) over to the new tanks and run both filters for a while. Wait for at least a week or so to add to the bioload and you should be fine.

You will be fine. the 100 isnt a bad idea having a larger tank in the beginning of the hobby would have help me out tons. Your fish will NOT die in the transfer unless you literally beat them to death. Most people here are real careful with their fish and thats the right thing to do, however I have cycled many tanks with fish in them without any hint of a problem. Your fish are small so dont do huge water changes. 5g per day is what I found out works for me and you will just fine. Best way to make sure your tank is ok is take some filter media from your already cycled tank and add it to your larger tank. You ever need help or have any question hit me up with a Pm

Ditto to these 2. First, going for the larger tank now is a great idea. You'll be much better off going as large as you can so you don't wind up having to upgrade multiple times (unless you use that as an excuse to just get extra tanks which a lot of us have done lol).

When you get the new tank and have it up and running with the temperature set properly, move the fish over to the new tank and put the filter media from the 10 gallon's filter into the filter of the larger tank. I would also take the gravel from the 10 gallon and put it in something porous that you can tie up. Pantyhose works great for this. I would make several "bags" of the gravel and put some in the new filter (if there is plenty of room after moving the 10 gallon's filter media into the new larger filter) and spread the rest around buried in the gravel in the new tank. This will help seed the new filter and new gravel and with beneficial bacteria from the established 10 gallon you already have and will greatly speed up the cycling process in the new tank.