switching tanks...newb

patboone7 · 09-06-2006, 10:58 AM

My father-in-law has had a 55 Gallon tank for several years but has lost the time to take care of them properly. I have had an empty 30 gallon laying around, so I set it up.

Filled the bottom with crushed sea shells and sand and what not, grabbed a few large rocks and plants from in-laws tank and filled the 30 gal tank halfway with water from his 55 gal tank. After seeing no leaks 4 days later I filled 5 gallon buckets with his water and stuck in some more plants, rocks and the fish, 1 medium sized Jack Dempsey in one pail and in the other, same stuff, but a very large green Severum, also was 5 smaller fish, 2 catfish, 2 tetras and a placasamus (sp?)

Bottom line, my 30 gal is filled with 90% of the water they were already living in, 2 filters I did not clean to preserve the bacteria and all the rocks and plants I didn't clean or heater. within 12 hours their color was back to normal and they seem happy.

Do you think the bacteria, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia levels would be ok? All I did was put a little Tetra-Aqua water conditioner in. I plan on putting them all back into the 55 gallon in a few weeks when I get it moved, cleaned and set back up.

I'm a new fishtank hobbyist and have been fortunate enough toget everything free, seems like a great place to ask questions here, hopefully I'm not one of these fish all die, store junk in attic guys!

Thanks,
Patboone7

Jay · 09-06-2006, 01:46 PM

Hi patboone7 and welcome to the forum

You essentially put all the stuff from one tank into another? That should work.

The way we are going to find out if everything is OK is by you sending us a complete set of tank parameters after about 10 days.

I am a wee bit concerned that the substrate of crushed shells and sand may give you some problems, but can wait until we see the parameters.

pH, KH, GH, Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites etc.

Regards,
Jay

patboone7 · 09-06-2006, 04:58 PM

What kind of substrate would you then recommend? The original 55 gal tank had the exact same covering for years and they seemed ok with it, My main reason for joining is for setting up the 55 gal. I will take a water sample to my pet store in a week or so when I go look for a new Pleco that will do his job!

My 30gal is just a place to keep the fellas surviving until their home gets moved and set up!

P.S. Would my beta be o.k. in there? I have him in a very shabby glass jar and I know he can survive in it, but I want him to thrive, otherwise I will just go get a 5 gallon from WM and get him a nice little home alone!

Thanks Jay for your response, I have been reading your other posts here and you seem like the most helpful and insightful!

ahill3780 · 09-06-2006, 09:43 PM

Hey pat, Welcome to the forums!

If that is the same substrate they were used to before you should be fine. We can get in to the nitty gritty if things start to foul up.

So the shells/gravel in the tank now are new? If so then just don't change up the filter media for a little while. At the moment they are the only means of biological filtration. Eventually they will help to colonize the rest of the substrate and it will be safe to change the filters out.

Like Jay pointed out, we can better help you in the long run if you can post us up some tank parameters periodically so we can refer to them to help give advice when needed.

Good to have you onboard!

patboone7 · 09-07-2006, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the advice. The substrate in the 30 Gal are brand new so I did NOT change out the filters because I knew they were the only bacteria I had besides the large rocks. I will get some testing kits next monday and see where we are. Thanks again, you guys are great!