Upgrading to 180 gallon - transfer tips?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jmai86

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 25, 2013
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United States
Hey peoples, I have a 75 gallon tank that's housed an arowana, 3 tinfoil barbs and a RTGG for a few months now. The tank itself is well established for a year with a Fluval 406 can and is very stable.

The arowana is outgrowing the tank FAST and so I'm upgrading to a 180 gallon this week.

What's the best way to do this transfer? I plan on setting up the 180 separately and keep the 75 with smaller stock.

The 180 comes with a Fluval 405 and a Rena XP4 which should be enough filtration for now.
Could I simply swap in my existing 406 to run with the 405, along with my existing sand bed and decor? Would there be enough bacteria colony to support the stock in the 180?
I'd much rather cycle the 75 again with new decor and XP4 than to cycle the 180 lol, that would take weeeeeeeks.

Thanks!
 
Yes that is enough bacteria. No need to use old tank water. My favorite method is pail so no fish actually leave water.
 
If you just use fresh clean water that would be like a 100% water change which would cause the BB to die and recycle the tank IMO. That's why you do 30% water changes. If you add some water from the 75 you will be less likely to cause a crash, but that's my experience and opinion.


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Bacteria in the filters and substrate a lot more resilient then you think, they can easily survive, the slight change in temp and hardness.
 
I think most of the bb is colonized on surfaces of your media not free floating in the h20. Put the old 403 on the new tank, with the new filters, keep up on WC and you'll be fine. I do 90% WC on my 450 and it never puts me into a mini cycle. Supporting the theory that most bb is on media, not in h20.

Squeeze some of the media from the aged filter onto the new filters media to seed it.

Transfer some water from tanks if you like, but not necessary ime

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The nitrifying bacteria grows on all hard surfaces, mostly in substrate and filter media.

Squeezing the filter media will just put gunk and ammonia into the new tank, not very helpful to seed the new tank just move a piece of the actual filter media to it.
 
Whether you remove a piece of old media and add to new media or squeeze an old piece onto new media it will introduce the colonies of bb. I've done it both ways without an issue. I did this with my 450 and put a full stock in the same day I set it up. This was with 100% new water. Minor nitrite readings for the first two weeks but nothing that 2x weekly WC couldn't keep in check for the first few weeks.

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SawickiB said:
The nitrifying bacteria grows on all hard surfaces, mostly in substrate and filter media.

Squeezing the filter media will just put gunk and ammonia into the new tank, not very helpful to seed the new tank just move a piece of the actual filter media to it.
Click to expand...


I'd say or was extremely effective method to nearly instantly cycle 450 gallons (600 total in system). Have you tried this method before? How large are your tanks? Are you speaking from experience? Or theory?

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Thanks for the tips all! I didn't think about using a pail, I'll definitely be doing that.

So I guess I'll set up and fill the 180 with just water and sand, run the rena XP4 for a couple days to clear out the debris and particulates from the sand (I'll have to do new sand) and get the water temp right.
Then when the water is clear, I'll siphon out half the tank and transfer over the water, decor, and 406 can from the 75 to run with the new 405.
Then transfer the fish! Excited. :)
 
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