i have a 29 gallon fish tank that is an older tank, i bought a new one. i have pregnant mollies and guppies in there. i just started the tank that i have running now 2 weeks ago and im scared to change them into another tank. my question is...what all do i need to add in the tank to make it ok for the fish without effecting them. i know that i have to have stress started conditioner, but what else do i need to do
and also how long should i wait to add the fish to the new established tank ????
2007-04-02 17:24:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
oh and one more thing how do you know when your tank has cycled and what is that actually???sorry im new to this
2007-04-02 18:32:26 · update #1
If you mean your current tank has been running only two weeks, don't move them yet. Wait until it completely cycles first then go ahead with the move. If the existing tank is older than that and has cycled, set up the tank just the way you did your first one and move the filter from the old one to the new one as you move the fish. That willmove the majority of the bacteria your new tank will need and make the cycle very short and gentle for the fish. Place your new filter on the old tank and stir the gravel well to help seed the new filter with bacteria. After a few days you cans swap the filters if you so desire.
About your pregnant fish, those you need to move as soon as possible. The other choice is move all the other fish from the tank and leave the pregnant one's behnd to have the babies. Seperating them from the other fish will be best for the pregnant fish and gives the best chance for babies to survive.
MM
2007-04-02 17:34:06 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
When you started up the new tank, did you take some of the gravel from the old one to seed the new gravel bed with good bacteria? If not, you need to do this, then wait another week. (A handful or two will do it.) Buying a bacterial innoculant at the pet store wouldn't hurt, either, if your tank is going to be really crowded. (You want to be sure that the fish waste is broken down properly.) I use Microbe-Lift in my pond and tanks, but there are others available, too. You can add the fish in a few days' time if you dose the tank with both the gravel and the innoculant.
If you have really good aeration in the new tank, the chlorine in the water has probably dissipated in the two weeks you've had it running. If you need to add more water, you'll need to add something to remove the chlorine. Also, you should test the water pH and record the temperatures of both the old and new tanks. The new one has to match the water quality of the old one in order not to stress the fish too much. Usually pH test kits have drops you add to increase/decrease the level you're adjusting. Just follow the directions exactly if you need to change the pH of the new tank.
Mollies need slightly brackish water. Guppies? I don't know much about them. You'll need some aquarium salt to add to the new tank, if you want the mollies to thrive. I don't remember the amount/gallon, but you could Google "Black Mollies" and get the salt dosage. Just be sure that you don't use table salt - it has chemical preservatives in it that will kill your fish!
Add lots of floating plants and 'cover' plants for the fry to live in when they hatch in the new tank. The mom fish will eat them if given the chance, but if they can hide, they'll be fine.
SO, you've got some work ahead of you! Once all is equal, the fish shouldn't stress too much when moved. Good luck!
2007-04-03 00:46:05 · answer #2 · answered by bzwithmybirds 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sabrina is bang on the money. I've done this many times.
Now that the aquarium has been running through the equipment on the new tank, the water is oxygnated, and assuming it's dechloriated, it's ready for fish.
Transfer the filter, decorations and gravel and fish to the new tank at the same time. Same fish, same bio-load, same bacteria, and more water - you are all set. If the old filter does not fit the new tank, then put all of the media from the old filter into the new.
You can transfer the old water or not. The chemistry will only be different enough to make an impact if you neglect the old tank.
2007-04-03 07:48:33 · answer #3 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for you to do is to take about half of the old tank water and put it into the new tank. That way you will have some of the natural bacteria that has grown in your new tank and your fish wont have so much stress.
Make sure both tanks are the same temp. when you make the switch and feed the fish about an hour prior to the switch. Most fish when you move them wont eat for a while which creates more stress.
So there ya go
2007-04-03 00:37:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy P. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Add dechlorinator. Take your filter from your 29 gallon tank move it and the fish to the next. Presto, cycled. The bacteria is in the filter not the water. If it has a different filter, simply run the old one with the new one for a couple weeks to seed the new and remove the old one. Or take the dirty filter material from the old one to the new one. You could have done this the day you brought the tank home (after the dechlorinator of course).
2007-04-03 02:42:30 · answer #5 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If that new tanks is where its going to stay, Id use as much of that aged water as possible. them fish aint gonna like a huge PH change.........
oh! re-read, still do a PH test on both tanks, get rid of new water and replace w/ old. And make sure temps,are close...
2007-04-03 00:38:05 · answer #6 · answered by DennistheMenace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋