Replacing a Tank Help

[snoopy65]

I am getting a new 55 gal tank at the beginning of next week. It will be replacing a 30 gal that I have sitting on the bottom half a solid wood china hutch. The hutch is 2" longer than the new 55.

The 30 has a bunch of rocks for caves and 15 young cichlids in it (all 3" or less).

Any suggestions on how to get everything out of the 30, move it, get the 50 in place, filled with water, rocks back in, & fish back in without losing my cycle / bacteria on the rocks etc. I do not have another tank in which the fish can go into. I do, however have lots of 5 gal buckets.

I have a magnum 350, rated for 100 gal, on the 30 which I will move to the 50.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[pcfriedrich]

That's easy. I'll give the directions the only way I could understand them (like they are on a frozen pizza!).

1. first, take off the filter, but make sure the water stays in it.

2. syphon out most of, but not all the water (85-90%). This should make it light enough to move (a buddy can be useful).

3. net the fish and put them in buckets.

4. put the new aquarium in place.

5. move the gravel, filter, air stones, decor, heater... in place.

6. fill with water (don't forget water conditioner).

7. get all equipment running.

8. add fish.

9. give old tank to me.

as long as the gravel, decor and filter media (filter media being most important) aren't out of the water until they are dry, you shouldn't have to worry about losing beneficial bacteria.

 

[snoopy65]

Thanks for the step by step. I have never put one tank in place of another and was stumped. Now that I look at it. It makes sense.

It would be a very expensive 30 gal tank for you! But if you really want to make the drive from Florida to Pennsylvania I guess I could let you have it. lol

Seriously though, I think I am going to try and find a spot for it somewhere in the house as a quarintine / hospital tank. I have a pf 300 I can put on it and a few guppies I can add to keep it "alive".

Thanks for your help.

 

[pcfriedrich]

alright, then. I guess you can skip step 9.

yeah, a hospital tank is crucial.

its so much easier and cheaper to medicate a smaller tank, and better for the non-sick fish.

 

[snoopy65]

Yeah, I am finding that out the more I read on here. I didn't worry too much about it until recently as I kept alot of livebearers and after the initial purchase of the fish I didn't buy anymore. They supplied all of the new fish and I am very anal about water changes and haven't had any problems. Now with keeping cichlids and finding myself going oooooooo I like that, I think a hospital tank is something I need.

Thanks again for your help.