freshwater tanks?

Question

ok i think this will be that last time i ask a question about my fish tank.....maybe
i recently bought a new aquarium so i moved all my fish into a smaller one and set the new one up my question is how long should i wait til i add my fish to the new tank???? i added the starter liquid and then i added 50 percent of the old water from the original tank and also added stress enze . i used the same filter and cartridge so that it would still cycle the old bateria in the new tank .... so how long til i add the fish

Answer 1

Since you moved 50% of the water to the new tank, you should be ok to move them however before moving them I would test the water. Just because you moved the water there could still be problems with the new tank.

If your tests are all ok two days in a row, I would move the fish. the filter cartridge does little for adding bacteria to your new tank. The move of the water is where you get the benefit.

Answer 2

The safest procedure would be to add a small amount of pure ammonia to the larger tank and add fish when the water tests show only nitrates are present (ammonia = 0, nitrite = 0).

That's the ideal situation, here's the practical. If I remember one of your other questions correctly, the smaller tank has only been running for two weeks, is that right? Had you cycled that tank beforehand?

If you have completely cycled the smaller tank, and the bacteria are completely converting the ammonia and nitrites in that tank to nitrate, then just move everything from the small tank to the larger tank whenever you want. If you add the substrate and use the same filter (at least temporarily, or in combination with another filter or additional gravel on opposite ends of the tank), you already have sufficient bacteria present to handle your present bioload. It may cloud the water for a few days with the move, but with everything from the old tank to establish the new one (without adding any more new fish) it will settle quickly. Added bacterial starter in the larger tank should only be a bonus.

If you haven't cycled the smaller tank (or are in the process of doing that now), it won't matter that much the large tank isn't fully cycled - the fish are already in a tank with ammonia and nitrites. If you move everything over (as in the situation above), you're still transferring all the bacteria that have built up so far in the small tank, plus you'll have a larger volume of water to dilute any ammonia and nitrite present as an added benefit for your fishes' health.

I don't remember what it was you added as a bacterial starter (and I have my doubts about some of these products anyway), but if it worked, fine - all the more bacteria that will be in the new tank. If it didn't do anything - as long as you're transferring what bacteria you have in the small tank - are your fish going to be any worse off than where they are now? I wouldn't think so (unless there was something really nasty in the product you used that you don't know about!).

Answer 3

If you would have used the same filter and filter cartridge, you would have been able to add the fish right away. Since you added the 'starter', you have to wait. Cycle starter is basically ammonia in a bottle. The ammonia is broken down and utilized by various bacteria to establish a culture that will continuously feed off the fish's wastes. It will probably take about two weeks for the ammonia to be broken down into nitrates, when the tank will be safe for your fish.

I suggest you wait a couple of weeks, and then change 30% of the water, and then you should be able to add your fish.

The safest way to know, is to get a test kit. Test for Ammonia, Nitrites, and NitrAtes. Ammonia should always read 0, nitrites should always read 0, and nitrAtes should always be below 20ppm, but should register as something above 0. If you read any amount of ammonia or nitrite, then the cycle is not complete, and you must wait.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Since you moved your old filter and cartridge, move your new fish in right away. If you let the tank sit empty for long ( a few days) you will lose all of that beneficial bacterial and you will have to cycle the tank all over again.

MM

Answer 5

I think if you used the same filter and cartridge the tank won't have to cycle so you can add your fish right away.

Answer 6

well..at least wait 3 to 7 days before adding fish

Answer 7

Take about a cup of the water down to petsmart or petco. They will test the chemical levels for you. If they're fine, move 'em over!

Answer 8

I think you could put your fish back to there tank right now.