Switching Tanks...How to?

[mynoven]

OK...when I go to switch Bates tank....I want more fishes with him...so....which ones?

If I decide to use a 35 gallon: what fishes...

If I get this OTHER 55 gallon....that comes with everything for $50...what can I put in that with Bate?

Now....when I switch him to which ever tank.....I:

1. Use the sponge from this filter (10gl one) and put it in that tank.

2. Use the water from the 10 gallon and put it into which ever I use (or maybe half?)

3. I dunoo....lol So is that the gist of switching?

I am getting the 35 gallon tonight when the guy gets off of work....the 55 gallon (the second one I just found) I am still waiting for a reply on.....The first 55 gallon we are headed for shortly!

Thanks!

[mynoven]

it's lookim like the 35 galllon....we just found out his aunt eileen has some fish tanks because she use to breed fish and turtles..lol....so off to pick up a 55 gallon for $20 instead!!

after 5 years of being with someone, you would think you would know a lot about the family :rolleyes: lol

[mynoven]

i am doing this tonight.....any help fast????

[mynoven]

I am going to assume I am right because I am not getting a response! I am very impatient and the cage will be here in less than an hour!! OK....off to google.....lol

(I prefer to ask here, as the internet is sometimes confusing)

[mynoven]

Prepare the Old Tank
Lightly vacuum the gravel in the old tank to remove any large particles. Test and record the pH and water temperature so you can match them to the new tank.

Set up the New Tank
Because you have a much larger tank, I assume you'll have a new filter and heater, as the old ones will not be sufficient to filter and heat a much larger tank. Set up the tank and fill it three fourths full of water. That is enough water to set up and start the new filter and heater, and leaves room for gravel and decorations. Let it run for twenty-four hours.

If you plan to use the old filter in the new tank, leave it running on the small tank. Run an air stone in the new tank if you have one. That will help drive off any chloramines that may be in your water supply.

What if you planned to use the old heater in the new tank? Reconsider your decision. Even if it isn't too small, the new tank should be run for a while with a heater to assure that the temperature is stable. Furthermore, it's wise to have more than one heater on hand, as you never know when a heater may fail.

Test the Water
After twenty-four hours, test the pH and temperature in the new tank and compare to the old tank. Don't proceed with the transfer if there is a difference between the two tanks of more than two tenths in pH, or a couple of degrees in water temp.

Move the Gravel
Using a clean cup transfer the gravel from the old tank to the new tank (I like disposable plastic cups that I can throw away when I'm done). Move any rocks and decorations next. If you planned to use the old filter in the new tank, move it at this time and make sure it's running before moving the fish.

Move the Fish
If the pH and water temp match exactly, you can transfer the fish without having to net and bag them. If there is a difference in temperature and pH, you'll have to bag the fish and acclimate them the same way you would a fish you bring home from a pet shop.

For a direct transfer use a disposable plastic cup and a net. Hold the cup underwater and use the net to drive the fish into the cup. Lay the net over the top so the fish can't jump out, then place the cup in the new tank and let the fish swim out.

Although the cup and net technique might not work for all fish, it is a less traumatic way to move many of your fish. For those that cannot be moved using the cup, net them and place them in a sturdy baggie filled with water from the tank.

Move the Filter
What a minute! Didn't I advise buying a new filter for the new tank? Yes I did. However, the filter from the old tank has beneficial bacterial colonies in the filter media. By running both the old and new filter for a few weeks, you'll introduce lots of beneficial bacteria in the new tank. The extra filtration will also be helpful as the new tank becomes established.

After the Move
You'll still go through a startup cycle, however transferring the gravel will speed up the process. Treat the new tank as if you had just started out, which means you should test the water for ammonia and nitrites until they are zero.

[mynoven]

what about adding the new fishies? I can't find any info on that.....*off to look again*

[Tazwell]

Wow, I wonder why nobody ever replied! :confused:

Anyway, do you already have fish in the 10 gallon that you're upgrading from? Then you're adding more fish from there?

[mynoven]

I have my betta in the 10 gallon, buying new fish

[Tazwell]

Are you putting the betta in the new tank, or keeping him in the old one and putting new fish in the new one? If you don't put him in the new tank, you have to add ammonia to the new tank, after you put the filter in, to keep the cycle going.

[mynoven]

you know....lol

OK...when I go to switch Bates tank....I want more fishes with him...so....which ones?
If I decide to use a 35 gallon: what fishes...

Now....when I switch him to which ever tank.....I:

1. Use the sponge from this filter (10gl one) and put it in that tank.

2. Use the water from the 10 gallon and put it into which ever I use (or maybe half?)

3. I dunoo....lol So is that the gist of switching?

I am getting the 35 gallon tonight when the guy gets off of work....the 55 gallon (the second one I just found) I am still waiting for a reply on.....The first 55 gallon we are headed for shortly!

Thanks!

[Tazwell]

Ah. Sorry :)

Well, then, it's always a good idea to quarantine new fish, so they don't disease your current fish. So, you could buy new fish now, and quarantine them in the empty 10 gallon while the cycle in the 35 is stabilizing. In 2 weeks or so, you can add some (only a few at a time...).

[mynoven]

lol...I know that!!!!

I wanna know HOW TO switch the tanks and what fishes can I use with him!!

The sponge?

the gravel?
the water?

And since he has been alone so long, would he get along with other fish??

He doesn't seem aggressive...I might just keep bate in the 35 gallon byhimself because he has been alone for 6 months....

[Catmakemebark]

Fill the new tank 30% with the cycled water. Put the gravel and decor in the new tank to seed it. You can use the sponge, but the gravel should do it.

Cory cats and loaches would be ok. I'm sure he wouldn't hurt any of those. :) Good luck with the tank!

[mynoven]

Thank-you Cat!!!

OK....are any of those scooling fish? I know cats aren't....

[Catmakemebark]

One loache can be semi-aggressive so you should keep them in groups of 6 or more to prevent aggression or minimize it.

[mynoven]

ok...so most livebearers are schooling fish....what about catfish? Or bottom suckers?

[Catmakemebark]

Bristlenose plecos are good tank mates. They'll only grow to about 5".

Livebearers may overstock your tank. Depending on how docile bate is, you may be able to get a school of neons.

[mynoven]

Bristlenose plecos are good tank mates

Those sound cool, what are they??

I am thinking he is just gonna stay alone though...lol

[Catmakemebark]

They are smaller plecostomus...with bristly noses. :p

[honeythorn]

This is a pic of an albino bristlenose plec. They are ugly, but cute at the same time:D

http://http://www.fishpondinfo.com/photos/fish/catfish/lindpleco1.gif

[mynoven]

the link doesn't work for me....

[Catmakemebark]

Google it. :D

[onebunnywuv]

http://www.brooklands.co.nz/fisharticle/bristlenose.htm

[mynoven]

so, Bate will be ok without gravel for a couple of days right?

Then the filter a day?

He should be...it would be like the power going out!! lol

I hope the heater works...it looks kinda messed up....

bristlenose is cute! *researching* lol

[CANic]

You could do with corydoras catfish, I don't know if they are supposed to but mine all hang out togeather. I'm not sure what mine are but they have black spots, and their fins are big and black...and they are really fat >< well they look it anyway. Theres a lot you could do, what do you have in mind?

[mynoven]

I am just leaving him by himself as stated in the LOOK LOOK thread :D

[Cottontail]

Ah, I see you are kind enough to spam for a website :). Thank you.

By the way, I believe the original poster has already dealt with her problem/situation ;).

[mynoven]

Ah, I see you are kind enough to spam for a website :). Thank you.

By the way, I believe the original poster has already dealt with her problem/situation ;).

who are you refering too?? I am the OP! What website??

[onebunnywuv]

a new member came and spammed for a website saying to go there. it was deleted and they were removed. i saw the post yesterday

[Cottontail]

mynoven, lol :p. They removed the post.

[mynoven]

oh....lol...I was wonderin what you were talkin about!