Re: How to move to bigger tank?

[NetMax]

"teri" > wrote in message
...
> My 3 gallon tank with two platys finally shows no ammonia after about
> 9 weeks. So of course today I bought a new 20 gallon that I want to
> set up in the next couple of weeks. So, a couple of questions:
>
> Can these fish stand going thru an uncycled tank again so soon, or do
> I get new fish to keep in it while it cycles?
>
> How many fish to cycle a 20 gallon with a Penguin 100 filter?
>
> Do I set it all up and run it for a few days with some of the "toys"
> taken from the first tank along with a gallon or so of the water from
> the first, then move the fish? (I hope no one hates me, but I don't
> plan on having live plants.)
>
> Do I then put the fish in a baggie and float it in the new tank like
> when you first get them?
>
> .... I am sure I will have more questions later. But TIA for now.
> Teri

If you move the filter used on the 3g temporarily to the 20g, then the
20g is essentially cycled. The filter contains the waste processing
capability balanced to the requirements of your 2 Platys.

Set up the 20g, turn on its filter, match the water temperature and let
it run a day (to outgas). Then move the fish over, and install the 3g
filter for a couple of weeks (or take the filter media from the 3g and
install it in the 20g filter).

Cycling your first tank is a PITA. Cycling another tank (while you have
others running) is a breeze.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Ecnerwal]

Set up the 20 gallon - leave some capacity free.

Run the filter on the 20 gallon for a while, let the chlorine get out,
temp stabilize, etc. Take the filter for the 20 gallon, run it on the 3
gallon for a few days. Take the inhabitants of the 3 gallon, some water,
and both filters, put them on the 20 gallon. After a week or two, you
can put the 3 gallon filter back on the 3 gallon tank; or put it away if
you won't be using the 3 gallon tank. If you want to be able to use the
3 gallon tank at a moments notice, just run both filters on the 20, and
you can instantly set up the 3. If you put it away, you'll want a week
or two of running the 3 filter on the 20 before setting up the 3 again.

Depending on media compatibility, you can do this faster if you need to
by simply stuffing media from the 3 gallon filter into the 20 gallon
filter, but if you're not in a hurry...

[NetMax]

"teri" > wrote in message
...
>
>>If you move the filter used on the 3g temporarily to the 20g, then the
>>20g is essentially cycled. The filter contains the waste processing
>>capability balanced to the requirements of your 2 Platys.
> I thought of that but the filter on the eclipse 3 sits atop a frame
> in the tank, no way to hang it on the back in another tank.
> teri

Alternately, take the aged sponge material out and stuff it into the new
filter. One technique I often use is to take the old filter material and
squeeze it, so the brown gunk falls into the new filter media. I don't
usually mention this method because I've never rigorously checked to see
how well it works, but if you have no recourse.. ymmv.

Any slimy objects (rocks, heater etc) from the 3g will also be coated in
good bacteria.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[NetMax]

"teri" > wrote in message
...
>
>>>>If you move the filter used on the 3g temporarily to the 20g, then
>>>>the
>>>>20g is essentially cycled. The filter contains the waste processing
>>>>capability balanced to the requirements of your 2 Platys.
>>> I thought of that but the filter on the eclipse 3 sits atop a frame
>>> in the tank, no way to hang it on the back in another tank.
>>> teri
>>
>>Alternately, take the aged sponge material out and stuff it into the
>>new
>>filter. One technique I often use is to take the old filter material
>>and
>>squeeze it, so the brown gunk falls into the new filter media. I don't
>>usually mention this method because I've never rigorously checked to
>>see
>>how well it works, but if you have no recourse.. ymmv.
>
> I am not trying to be argumentative but can that be done with the
> penguin type filters? I don't know what can be taken out, or stuffed
> with them. Sorry for being dense about this stuff. My neighbor said a
> while ago he has some angel hair like stuff that he could take out of
> his tank and give to me, but where would it go with what I have?

LOL, no problem :o) For filters which seal their filter media in
replaceable cartridges, you can either cut the cartridge open, or simply
put the old cartridge in the water, preferably where there is a water
flow. The bacteria will spread through the tank looking to colonize the
best spots.

I can't comment on the angel-hair stuff, unless it's cotton-like filter
floss, which would also work.

Don't be worried about asking lots of questions, and there are lots of
people here smarter than me who can help if I get stuck ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

>>Any slimy objects (rocks, heater etc) from the 3g will also be coated
>>in
>>good bacteria.
> Now that I can do, treasure chest, castle, fake plants, gravel.
> Thanks.
> Teri