Gonna have an extra tank

[vantgE]

So i am moveing my cichlids to a 90 gallon tank, but what do i do with the ten

Extra stuff
1 50 watt heaters
lot's of gravel
lot's of sand
lot's of gravel to buffer ph up above 7.5

one ten gallon tank with canopy and lights
1 UGF for a ten gallon
1 aquaclear 200
1 50 watt heater

one 90 gallon tank with canopy and lights
1 fluval 403
1 300 watt heater

So i was planning on moveing the aquaclear to the 90 gallon with my cichlids but i think it is likely that i will need a a fry tank as these mbuna breed easily the ten should work for this but is a little small for the fry

Section for random unrelated questions
1.How do i completely clean out my ten gallon keep in mind it has a ugf while not haveing to recycle it?
2.Can i put a single newt in the ten gallon, then move it to my brothers(if i get fry) he has a newt tank with two in it already chinese firebellies plus two adf's and four whiteclouds, would his tank be two crowded?
3.Should I just get another tank really small budget?
4.If i get another one I think i'd want a 20 then use that as a fry tank and the ten as a puffer or betta tank right?
5.Would the ugf be able to handle a puffer tank?
6.Is there a cheap way to set up lighting and canopy for the fry tank?
7.Do i need a light for a fry tank?
8.Is an aquaclear 200 too strong for a fry tank?
9.Should I add substrate to the fry tank i have a ton if i need to what about decor all i have for that is rocks?
10.How would you arrange my equpiment for 3 tanks a ten sometimes a 20 and a 90?
12. Is a 50 watt or two 50 watts big enough for a twenty gallon tank?
11.Should i get a puffer or a betta?
hmm i'll number these for yah please answer whatever you can,
Short little rant section
i've pretty much just convinced myself to buy a 20 while writeing out these questions except for the whole canopy cost, i hat my ugf but that's all i'd have, i could always keep my puffers in the 20 and move them to the ten when i have fry but what if even a 20 isn't big enough for four species of mbuna i don't know how often the breed
oh well tell me what ya think, if you actually read any of this

 

[Nina7777]

Ok first of all....congrats on the new tank!

Next i'll try to answer most of your questions.....forgive me if i forget a few!

1) If you do not want to recyle your 10 gallon, then you can't clean it out completely. You can drain most of the water out but leave it about a 1/2 inch above the UGF to keep the bacteria alive. You can still have the benefit of replacing the gravel decorations etc. Just make sure anything you wash or add had been dechlorinated.

2) Yes you can put a single newt in a gallon.....but two would be better. and a 10 gallon has plenty of room for 2.

3) You can get a 20 gallon tank for pretty cheap. I've seen them around here with canopy and light included for under 40 dollars us. or better yet you can check want ad's and yard sales, used tanks are easier to find than you may think and they are just as good as new (as long as their are no holes)

4) Dwarf puffers or a dvided betta tank are good alternatives for a 10 gallon. You just have to make sure that the tank is fully cycled before you buy puffers.

5&8) IMO the aqua clear 200 is too powerful for the fry tank. I would keep it in the 10 along with the UGF for the puffers, and get several sponge filters for the fry tank. for me they seem to work best and no fry get sucked up either. However I wouldn't use only the UGF in the puffer tank because of the diets they require. a UGF wouldn't be able to keep up by itself.

6) Sure thing, just buy a sheet of plexi glass or netting, and then buy a desk lamp or you may already have on lying around.

7) Yes its a good idea. Fry tanks don't need as much light as a regular tank but it is a good thing to leave it on for at least a few hours several times a day........just make sure if you use a desklamp that it is not directly hitting the tank or else the water will warm up too much!

9) I wouldn't add any substrate to a fry tank. They stay cleaner that way, plus tiny fry can get stuck under the gravel. And I wouldn't add any rocks untill the fry are almost fully developed. Bushy plants work well for hiding places and aren't very expensive.

10) I think the way you have it is suitable.

11) two 50 watts would work in a 20 gallon. the general rule for tropicals including cichlids is 5 watts per gallon. I like to go a little higher though because my house tends to get cold in the winter.

12) Betta's are definately easier to take care of then puffers, but puffers are alot more interesting IMO. So thats up to you!



IMO I would try to find a cheap 20 gallons. You have alot more options that way. Hope I helped!

Congrats on the new tank and good luck with your future plans!

 

[vantgE]

Wow thanks Nina, that really helped me alot, sorta thought it was to long so i might not get answers, but that's great, thanks again anyone else who wants to posts is still welcome though, i'm gonna check the bargain finder quick

 

[Nina7777]

Glad I could help and good luck/congrats again!