how long to clone a tank?

[dwarfgourami]

I am setting up a convalescent home for my platy Smudge, who is still not dead, but is clearly not going to be fit enough to join the others in the main tank for a long time, if ever.

Am going out this morning and hoping to grab a 6 gallon tank or so, with a sponge filter. This I shall attempt to clone in my Juwel60 tank, by keeping the filter medium in the main filter. Will also transfer some gravel and let her take tank water with her as I don't want to stress her out.

How long should I keep the filter medium in the main tank before I can transfer it (and her) safely)?

 

[dwarfgourami]

Shopping trip completed.

After all the threads we see on the theme "what can I put in my 6 gallon tank", it came as quite a surprise to find I had difficulties to get hold of a 6 gallon tank, or indeed anything smaller than the Rekord 60.

The owner of the lfs went to great lengths to explain how bigger tanks are better, how uneconomical it would be to set up a small tank by the time you added all the bits separately, how nobody buys these small tanks these days. It all sounded most convincing- it just wasn't what I needed.

In the end I had no alternative but to shoot down to Petsathome and buy a beginners tropical starter kit, guaranteed safe for the kiddies (no, Smudge that does NOT mean you are to have another batch in there). I didn't like it, but what could I do?

This kit has a sponge in its filter, which I indeed to clone in mine. So I repeat my question, how long does it need to be in there for?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Hmmmm.... Well, I'd say a few weeks, one platy won't make a heck of a lot of mess anyways Pets at Home does seem to be the only place to get small tanks, doesn't it? Although thats not really a good thing....

 

[Tolak]

I run spare filters a minimum of 2 weeks on an established tank before putting them in a new setup. Stock lightly at first to be careful.

Tolak

 

[smooth_bourbon]

Someone else just said they where told two weeks on another forum. I have heard myself it only takes about three days. I am sorry I cant be more helpful, I keep extra filters running on my tanks so when the urge gets me they will be ready to move. The signs of a real addict I suppose.

edit : lol I need to learn to type faster Tolak posted a very helpul answer while I was rambling.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I run spare filters a minimum of 2 weeks on an established tank before putting them in a new setup.  Stock lightly at first to be careful.

  Tolak

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I am setting this up as a hospital tank for one fish (currently in a breeder net), so it wont be a question of stocking other than lightly- she will be alone in there. The reason she needs the tank is that she is too frail to live in the big tank without being attacked by the other fish, that's why she's currently in a breeder net. (She is also clearly too frail to cycle her new tank).

Would using some gravel from the main tank speed things up? What about sticking some half-gucky filter floss fron the other tanks in?

 

[Tolak]

A trick you can do with a sponge filter; take some gravel from a well established tank & pile it on top of the new sponge filter. With 6 gallons of water & 1 small fish, it will draw enough water through the gravel to act as a bio filter. The sponge will cycle in the process.

Tolak

 

[SkiFletch]

A trick you can do with a sponge filter; take some gravel from a well established tank & pile it on top of the new sponge filter. With 6 gallons of water & 1 small fish, it will draw enough water through the gravel to act as a bio filter. The sponge will cycle in the process.

Tolak

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Thats a very good suggestion, especially if the established tank is over 6-12 months old

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks a lot, Tolak. The main tank is 7 mths old.

So how do you suggest I do this? At the moment the sponge from new tank is in the old tank's filter. Can I put it in the new tank and gravel on top now, or should I wait a few days, and then do it? And when do I put the platy in?

Sorry to sound dumb, but though I've done cycling with fish and fishless cycling, I've never cloned a tank.

 

[Tolak]

You could do it now, & put the platy in right away.

Tolak

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks a lot!!!

 

[Bloo]

I recently did a filter switch (internal to external) but kept my internal running for 2 weeks alongside the external. I then removed it and water parameters were absolutely perfect. So I'm not sure if I could have left it in for a shorter period of time, but I do know that 2 weeks did the trick for me
I know it's not quite the same as what you wish to attain but I agree with what Tolak said you should do for your 6 gallon.

 

[fawnmodel]

You can also wash the filter from the established tank out in a small cup of tank water and pour it into your sponge filter. I do this when seeding all my tanks, always add gravel and tank water too. After a few days do a partial water change, you can add half and half tank water from another aquarium when you do. And, any filter media will help you, just keep it near the oxygen/filter as the posts above stated, you can put it in a stocking and place it over your sponger filter. I'd leave it a week or two, you should be able to add your fish now.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks a lot, I'll do that. I usually don't have a problem being patient, but this is a bit of a special situation.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Right, Smudge's bijou residence is now up and running (obligatory pause for getting back to P-at-h for missing parts). Have used 1/3 gravel from established tanks, kept filter sponge in old filter for 2 days and a night, and added old filter floss to the top filter chamber (where you are supposed to keep the carbon). Will move her in tomorrow, as soon as the dust has settled. Will then put in some salt and treat her again for bacterial infection, as I think she needs this, but didn't want to add more medication to the fry tank.