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I wasnt sure were to put this but here it goes.

My friend has a five gallon tank that has so much algea you cant see through it. I want it to use for guppies for my desk so im going to give him a 10 gallon tank. He has fish that are living in this muck.
2x Neon Tetras
2x Hachet
and i think on eother kind of fish. My question is how can i get these fish into the 10 gallon without killing them? The tank is not cycled so could i use watter out of another tank that is cycled?

Thanks for reading.

55gal Tank:130 watt coral lights,Eheim Wet/Dry 2227 Canister Filter,Powerhead, Co2 Injection and a heater.

I believe I would just seed the talk with some gravel and such from your 55 gallon tank. And fill it with some water spared from your tank...Then you will have a somewhat jump started tank

-Josh

You could try and run the filter you are going to use on the 10gal. tank and run it in the 55 for awhile. Might work?

i agree, if you can spare some gravel and water from your 55, you should have enough bacteria in the transferred gravel to sustain those few fish. You probably won't have to worry about the filter, it'll populate off the gravel. Just be sure to acclimate the fish to the water from your 55, as it's different. Treat them as if you're coming home from the lfs with them

OK so im going to fill the 10 gal tank with water from my 55 gal tank. He wants to use the gravel from the 5gal algea tank, is this a bad idea? Im scared the fish have adapted to crappy water conditions and will die once i put them in the 10 gal.

55gal Tank:130 watt coral lights,Eheim Wet/Dry 2227 Canister Filter,Powerhead, Co2 Injection and a heater.

It's not the best idea... the algae spores from the tank will most likely make a mess of the new tank as well. Washing it would get rid of the algae, but also the beneficial bacteria you need. I'd advise against it, but it's a viable option if he won't have anything else.

Fallout's point about the algae spores being in the gravel is valid, but the spores are also in the air. If you aren't helping your friend solve the problem that caused the algae in the first place, then I think it will come back regardless what you do. Although using the algae tank's gravel will speed it up.

-Rick


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Perhaps a product like Algae Destroyer could be utilized? Using the gravel from the infected tank will definitely allow the algae to infest the "clean one"... but by starting the process of removing the Algae right off the bat might work....
I know that I've used Algae Destroyer in my 55 gal with great sucess! Following the prescribed dosage allows the aquarium to remain Algae free -- yet has no ill effect on my fish.... Of course if he has any crustaceans - this definitely is a loud NO NO ..... You might also be able to help your friend out in other ways to prevent his "new tank" from getting to that deplorable state... Does he have it in sunlight? Suggest that he move it elsewhere.... ETC. I have no fear about your fish - you are definitely quite a attentive fishkeeper... But your friend? Well, I don't mean to be rude but he either sounds VERY INEXPERIENCED or possibly just lazy..... Good Luck!

To thine own self be true...