Bought A 2nd Hand Tank With Fish, Help?

[imran999]

I've just bought a 2nd hand tank from ebay.

its size is
Length 91cm
Depth 38cm
Height 48cm

and comes with gravel, stones and plants and filters

The seller is going to drain the tank and clean it out for me, but has offered the fish he had to me as well with the tank.

What is the best way for me to restart the tank bearing in mind that I will be putting in several fish straight away. Silver sharks, bottom feeders and guppies i think.
I wont be able to carry any of the water except for a small amount to carry the fish in while i transport the tank.

This is my first tank. so advice appreciated.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Be sure that all the filter media and gravel stay in aquarium water at all times. This can have beneficial bacteria on it that you could use to start your own cycling of the aquarium. Especially the filter media would help out. However you may want to consider asking if he has had any recent disease or other problems in the tank as this would change the idea of not keeping anything.

 

[idlefingers]

Like fishkies said you need to make sure the filter media stays damp with tank water. I wouldn't worry about the water - just make sure the water in the tank is up to temp and de-chlorinated before putting the fish in.

As a precaution in case anything goes wrong with getting it setup it might be a good idea to have a large water-tight tub around which could be used to hold the fish in for a few days. It's sods law that something will go drastically wrong with the tank while you've got a load of fish in bags waiting to be transferred.

 

[CruX]

Keep the filter media damp, and make sure you are set up within 24 hours of draining and all should be fine. You won't need to cycle as the filter is already cycled to handle that bio load. However if you are to introduce more fish you need to do so slowly. Only glanced at your tank size so you may be neer full stocking level if not over anyway.

 

[imran999]

Keep the filter media damp, and make sure you are set up within 24 hours of draining and all should be fine. You won't need to cycle as the filter is already cycled to handle that bio load. However if you are to introduce more fish you need to do so slowly. Only glanced at your tank size so you may be neer full stocking level if not over anyway.

Im not planning to add any new fish for a while. Just going to keep the existing fish that he is giving me, till I get into the swing of fish keeping and get the tank stable.

What brand of dechlorinator is best to use or avoid or are they all the same?

 

[CruX]

I use aquasafe but any decent branded stuff will do as long as it works on chlorine and chloramine.