Tips on cycling the 90

[jacobfata]

Hello everyone,

It’s me again, needing some reassurance from my fellow hobbyists. I recently made the upgrade from a 55 gallon aquarium that had been running for roughly 11 months, to a 90 gallon. This is my first setup with built in filtration and a sump filter so this cycling process is new to me. It’s also my first time with discus. One month strong.

Almost two weeks ago I had the 90 gallon setup installed. I went with an open water layout considering the large amount of fish in the aquarium, I figured it would be easier to keep clean.. I placed a hang on the back filter with “dirty” filter media on the 90 gallon about one week ago, that had previously been running in the 55 for ten months ( I would just switch out the cartridges every couple of weeks). I also added a couple of dozen neon tetras to the new setup to get things going.

Currently I have an aqua clear hang on the back filter and a UV Sterilizer running on the 55 gallon. Water condition test results are decent with twice weekly water changes. The 55 is full to the rim with eleven discus that will be housed in the 90 with eight small clown loaches and the neon tetras. Hence the open water layout. I’m aware that the aquarium will require frequent upkeep and I am aware that as the fish mature I will need to make arrangements. What I am trying to achieve is a dozen mid-adult sized discus in the 90, healthy, happy and comfortable. I added a I’ve sterilizer to the 90. The temp is at 84 and my ph is at 7.0. My ammonia reads the lowest on the color charts but my nitrate (or nitrites) are really high. Fighting the urge to do a water change I figure it would be best to leave the setup alone for another week or so until things balance out.

I’ve been known the rush things in the past and I want to do it right this time. These discus came from Jack Wattley and we’re hand picked by me and my fiancé and I want them to do well. Once everyone is in the 90 gallon and feeding I’ll be happy. I figure this should easily last them a year or so with frequent upkeep. I’m including pics of the old setup and the new. I’ve read so many different opinions from people saying just put the filters on the 90 and move everyone over and then remove the filters in time as beneficial bacteria forms in the sump. Can anyone offer me some advice, tips or suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[BichirKing]

if everything is good in the 55 with the h.o.bs you can move the media from them directly into the sump and move your fish in.your nitrates and nitrites should have different tests in your kit if its decent. 20ppm nitrates is max, 0ppm nitrites is ideal. test for those and if theyre good swap it all over. I just did this from a 75g to a 240g. no problems.

 

[deeda]

20ppm nitrites is max, 0ppm nitrates is ideal.

You accidentally switched the parameters, it should be 20 ppm nitrAtes is max, 0 ppm nitrItes is ideal.

 

[BichirKing]

You accidentally switched the parameters, it should be 20 ppm nitrAtes is max, 0 ppm nitrItes is ideal.

I do that so often smh….

 

[jacobfata]

Thanks guys! I’ve heard this a couple of times I’m just really scared to do it but if it’s worked for you I’m hoping it will for me also. I think I’ll add a few discus this week along with some more filtration from the 55 and see how things goes.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

You’re going to love the filter sock and how easy it is for maintenance. I recently converted my sump from sponges to filter socks and couldn’t be happier with them.

I have some questions about the HOB filters you’re using. You mentioned that you would change out the cartridge every few weeks, does this mean you would replace it with a new one? If so, then you’d be removing a lot of the beneficial bacteria. It’s best to just rinse them in tank water and put them back.

As for moving your fish over, I do think you will be fine to go ahead and move them all over. Just do one of two things; Either move the filters over with them and let them run along with the new sump, removing some media and the filters little by little; or take all of the media out of the old filters and place it into the sump. This includes sponges and filter floss as they will have a lot of beneficial bacteria as well. I have used both of these methods with good results.

 

[jacobfata]

You’re going to love the filter sock and how easy it is for maintenance. I recently converted my sump from sponges to filter socks and couldn’t be happier with them.

I have some questions about the HOB filters you’re using. You mentioned that you would change out the cartridge every few weeks, does this mean you would replace it with a new one? If so, then you’d be removing a lot of the beneficial bacteria. It’s best to just rinse them in tank water and put them back.

As for moving your fish over, I do think you will be fine to go ahead and move them all over. Just do one of two things; Either move the filters over with them and let them run along with the new sump, removing some media and the filters little by little; or take all of the media out of the old filters and place it into the sump. This includes sponges and filter floss as they will have a lot of beneficial bacteria as well. I have used both of these methods with good results.

Thank you for your input also! With the aqua clear that is still on the 55 I normally just rinse and place the sponges back in but with the aquaeon** filter that comes with replaceable cartridges (that would become torn and fall apart) it was normally just easier to replace. I’m really glad I got your help and your second opinion. I’m going to be making the switch in a few days. So far the fish I transferred over (cardinals and rams) everyone’s doing just fine. I’ll keep you all posted!

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Thank you for your input also! With the aqua clear that is still on the 55 I normally just rinse and place the sponges back in but with the aquaeon** filter that comes with replaceable cartridges (that would become torn and fall apart) it was normally just easier to replace. I’m really glad I got your help and your second opinion. I’m going to be making the switch in a few days. So far the fish I transferred over (cardinals and rams) everyone’s doing just fine. I’ll keep you all posted!

Yeah, putting the other fish in first was a good idea. It wouldn’t be fun losing any of them in the event something didn’t go as planned, but it’s a lot better than finding out with your expensive discus.

Seeing as how the fish in the 90 are doing well, I’m sure everything will be fine. Just have Prime on hand because you can use it to detoxify ammonia and nitrites.

Do you have spare filter socks?

 

[LBDave]

Nice D's! I am going to get a new tank shortly so I'll be in similar position. Not sure what other's think but may want to hold off on UV until new tank established.
My plan is to move filter media from old to new tank, maybe some substrate stuff and even pump water from old to new when doing a water change. Good luck and again, like the fish.

 

[jacobfata]

Yeah, putting the other fish in first was a good idea. It wouldn’t be fun losing any of them in the event something didn’t go as planned, but it’s a lot better than finding out with your expensive discus.

Seeing as how the fish in the 90 are doing well, I’m sure everything will be fine. Just have Prime on hand because you can use it to detoxify ammonia and nitrites.

Do you have spare filter socks?

I’m actually really happy you asked me this question. I do not. Now I know that what I’m doing with the sump is trying to establish my own beneficial bacteria colony. But I’ve ran into an issue. The filter sock keeps clogging and overflow is running into the sump without being filtered through the sock. I called the local fish store owner about this issue and he simply said to throw the sock in the washing machine with a teaspoon of bleach. I’ve included a photo of what I’m dealing with. The water level where I’m pointing is rising. All of the water used to pass through the sock below but now a portion is overflowing into the sump. How do you guys usually combat this issue?