60 gallon questions

[mike777]

Hey guys

I'm gonna be setiing up a 60 gallon this week and I was wondering what kind of filter to use. So I asked the guy at the lfs and he said an Aqua Clear 300 or 500. He said the 500 will keep it very clean but it is (obviously) more expensive. Which one should I use? Or should I use another product?

I also have another question.... I have no clue how we are going to set-up the 60 gallon. We are putting it exactly where the 20 gallon was. So should we move the 20 to the ground for a while (until I move all of the fish into the 60) or should I move them all in one day? I plan on using all the water and gravel from the 20, and I also bought some benificial bacteria to help cycle faster. If I can't move all the fish in one day should I add new gravel and water into the 20? Sorry for all the questions!! Thanks!

 

[petitericeball]

when i changed my 5 to my 10 gallon a couple days ago just siphon water in a bucket until the buckets full then you put the fish in the bucket then put a bubble stone for oxygen in the bucket for them
you get like as many buckets as you can siphon the water into the buckets move the 20 and put the 60 on the stand then get like a scoop and start scooping the gravel into the 60 then start pouring the water from the buckets into the 60 then you put the fish in and start filling it more

(these steps are from a 5 to 10 so it may be different)

 

[dcraveiro]

On the filter side, I always prefer to go over.

 

[mike777]

Thanks guys. Any more suggestions??

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I think you will find the price difference very minimal, so the 500 is a good idea. Check out bigalsonline.com, they are extremely cheap there.

 

[mike777]

Okay thanks cichlidaddict, I was planning on using the 500 anyway.

 

[Kittycat001]

I'm definitely not an expert (yet) , but I have a 55 gallon tank, and I've tried several filters myself and they were OK, but I recently got one of those double bio-wheel ones (330) and my water hasn't been this crystal clear in a long time! I love it, and my fish seem to love the current and little oxygen bubbles! They all seem much more active and happy.

 

[Adrinal]

500 without second thought


One day.
Use as much of the water from the 20 as you can.

Make sure the rest of the water is RO or has been treated properly in advance

Keep using the filter you have on the 20 in conjunction with the new filter on the 60 for 4 weeks.
Don't get any new fish for that time as well.

GL ..

PS where are the pics before you take it down?!!

 

[mike777]

Hey guys!
Here is what I decided to do. Well I bought the 300 because it was for 100 gallons and that is what the guy recommended. And I'm setting it up tomorrow. I will take 2 or 3 scoops of gravel from the 20, and use use about 5-10 gallons of water. I will also add the zebra and leopard danios, the snail and my paradise fish on Sunday. How does that sound?

 

[Bol]

I'd strongly suggest returning the 300, and getting a 500, if at all possible.

Seriously, you'll be glad you did later on, in my opinion. More important than the flow, in my opinion, is the fact that it'll give you significantly more room for filter media. Also, I'm pretty sure that AquaClears have flow control, so if you find it's "too much", which is doubtful, you can always turn it down.

If at all possible, spend the extra $10-$20 now; you won't regret it.

And, as Adrinal said, it would probably help a lot if you could run the old filter in the new tank (in conjunction with the new one) for a while (couple days to a week). Or, if that's not possible, try putting your old filter media into the new filter's media basket (along with some new media), if it'll fit.

You also mentioned you bought some "beneficial bacteria to help cycle faster". Personally, unless this stuff is:

a ) Marineland's BioSpira, or
b ) some gravel/filter material from an established tank), or
c ) possibly the "new, improved" Cycle, ....

then I think it's probably a waste of money and effort.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

What was the price difference? It is typically just a few $ more, and I agree completely with Bol. However, the 300 will most certainly do the job, though I think I covered that already...

 

[mike777]

Well it was about $25 extra. And I can't run the filter from the 20 becasue then there wouldn't be any filtration in there (and because it is an underground filter). I currently have the 20 and the 60 setup on two different dressers. I'm going to add the danios, betta, paradise fish and possibly the snail on sunday is that okay? everything is set-up (filter, heater and a cool bubble disc!) it is also planted. Thanks for all your help everyone.