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when i set up my 55g tank. im going to put the filter and gravel in there from my 20g. could i just take all the fish from the 20g and put it in the 55g. without cycling. im going to have a bigger filter too.

It won't cycle automatically, because you're going from a 20 gallon to a 55. You'll need more gravel than what the 20 contained. Even if that weren't the case, I'd expect a small mini-cycle at least. Better to be patient and be sure the fish are safe than to rush and have the fish die.

Last edited by sirbooks at 29-Sep-2004 16:27

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

It would certainly speed things up, though! I wouldn't consider it automatically cycled in that you could immediately fully stock it. I'd still stock it slowly and carefully and do water testing. But this definitely sounds like the way to go.

but could i still take the fish from the 20g and immediatley transfer them

You probably could, depending on what fish there are and how many.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

If you're not adding any additional bioload IMO it should be okay, so long as you're careful during the move as far as a mini-cycle goes....however you'll need time for the bacteria to grow and develop on the glass and any new filters prior to increasing the stock.

^_^
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Bacteria will die in the move. So you cannot escape the fact that there is risk of a mini-cycle.

-- Gomer

Hi,
The bacterial colonies live on the surfaces of each grain
of gravel. When you disturb them by scraping them together,
drain the water, and then mix the old with the new gravel,
you will damage, or kill of much off the established
colonies. If you simply move the filter from one tank to
the other without cleaning it, then you probably won't
injure those colonies that much, if at all.

Going from the 20 to the 55 tank, you probably can switch
the fish as well. Be sure to use chlorine/chloramine
remover with the new water. Be sure that the heater
is correctly adjusted so the temp does not vary more than
a degree or two between the two tanks.

Lastly, because you are, in essence, starting a new tank
expect the tank to cycle, a whole lot more than a "mini
cycle." It will actually have to cycle as any new tank
would. It will probably take less time as you are in
effect, "Seeding" it with established bacteria.

Test the water and watch the readings as with any newly
cycling tank.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 01-Oct-2004 12:31

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