Quick cycle

[nzafi]

In 1.5 months I will be upgrading from a 180g to a 550g and I will have about 1 week to get the 550g up and running.
Background:

180g: running 3 ac110s and 8x8x4 block of marine pure in the center of the tank

550g: 2x corner hmf filters and 1 ultima 1000

Approach:
- Get 3 large sponge filters and put them in the 180g so they can get populated with BB. Figured have them there for 5 weeks or so
- once I get the poret foam for the corner HMF they will also go into the 180g to soak. Have them there for 2-3 weeks
- once the 550g is up and running the hmf poret and sponge filters will automatically go into the tank to help quick cycle the ultima
- after 3-5 days I want to put the fish into 550g tank. All media from the 3 ac110s with the marine pure will go into the 550g
- after 3-4 weeks I will begin removing all old media starting with ac110 media, then marine pure, and then excess sponge filters

The only fish is a 15-16in aimara. The plan was to fast him before the move for 5 days, then during the move and then shortly afterwards. I was hoping to add other fish during this too though.

Thoughts? Too elaborate and unnecessary considering I am bringing over all media? Btw I will be running a drip on this tank of 2gph or 48gpd.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; The plan as described should work. I see no issues that jump out after a quick first read. While it may be some overkill that is how I Iike to transfer bb loaded surfaces into a new setup. Having more bb than actually needed means the ammonia produced by the fish will be taken care of. The extra bb numbers will eventually die off leaving a bb population in balance with the fish load.

 

[Galantspeedz]

I may be wrong but sounds overkill to me for 1 16 inch fish

Will there even be enough bacteria to cultivate on the extra surface area. If yes, then surely those bb on the old media have to die off since the bb is already in equilibrium to the bioload?

Wouldn't adding more fish into the old tank to increase bioload thus cultivating more bacteria make more sense?

Disclaimer: I am no expert.

 

[JK47]

Since you’re bringing over the old media it may be overkill. That many gallons for such a small bioload won’t produce enough ammonia to really create an issue while the bacterial colony cultivates. In short the bioload is on your side and will make it easier. If you want overkill for peace of mind, go for it! Nothing wrong with insurance

 

[skjl47]

plan was to fast him before the move for 5 days, then during the move and then shortly afterwards

only fish is a 15-16in aimara

Hello; After a bit of thought it seems that the fasting before moving the lone fish may not be beneficial or perhaps not as beneficial. If the lone fish is fed well right up to the day of the move then two benefits may follow.

One is the fish will be stuffed and have good reserves for the first few days in the new setup.

Another is the bb colonies in the old setup may increase their numbers a bit with the extra metabolic effects of the well fed fish. If you overfeed the last few days the portion of excess food that decays will add to the effect.

If moving the media from old tank to new takes place within a few days it likely will not make much difference. However I can think of no down side to moving the media slightly earlier on the same day as the fish is moved.
I get that the power filters need to be setup and tested by running them in the new setup. I run everything for a day or so before adding fish to a new setup. The media can sometimes be added later.

A question. Are there any ongoing disease or parasite issues in the old tank? If so then moving the old media may transfer the problems to the new setup.

Good luck

 

[duanes]

Fasting may not be needed because most ammonia comes from the fishes gills (urine) not from the solid(semi solid waste).
For shipping in a small area, anything helps including fasting). But if you are transferring media and sponges, and all, you should be fine.
I haven't had to cycle a tank in over 40 years, because I always filled my sumps with junk, including containers of gravel, rocks, old bio wheels, just about anything that could grow bacteria on its surface.

 

[skjl47]

For shipping in a small area, anything helps including fasting).

Hello; yes pre-fasting can help when moving fish in a small container for an hour or few. I did not understand this was the case and was mistaken in thinking the new setup was at the same location as the old setup. So fasting before the move can help.

 

[nzafi]

Since you’re bringing over the old media it may be overkill. That many gallons for such a small bioload won’t produce enough ammonia to really create an issue while the bacterial colony cultivates. In short the bioload is on your side and will make it easier. If you want overkill for peace of mind, go for it! Nothing wrong with insurance

My worry is that the hmf is slowing moving media versus the ac110 media needs high flow. When I pull out all that biomax it’s not going to be as effective as it is in the ac110.

 

[twentyleagues]

Can you just transfer the ac110s? If so I'd do that. Get the 535 up and running and the transfer everything over let it run that way for a few weeks and test daily. Should be fine.

 

[nzafi]

Can you just transfer the ac110s? If so I'd do that. Get the 535 up and running and the transfer everything over let it run that way for a few weeks and test daily. Should be fine.

Nope. Tank is acrylic so the bracing on the top is very wide and the ac110s won’t fit.