Since you're in no real hurry to get this set up and running, I'll tell you what I would do..........
I would put an extra filter cartridge (or pouch) in the tank I have running. Keep the old one in there, but put the extra one in front of it if you have room, otherwise, put it in back of it. Let it stay there until you get ready to set up the new tank.
On set up day, take the OLD cartridge out of the old tank, and put it in the new tank to transfer the bacteria over. The NEW cartridge would have built up enough to carry on as long as you still have your substrate and you don't clean out your filter box. If you have gravel to spare in the OLD tank, put some in a stocking and tie it up. Throw it in with the water in your new tank. That way, when the tank is sufficiently cycled, you can take it out without a hassle.
There isn't a lot of bacteria in the water, so putting water from the old tank into the new one is not important.
If you are going to tear down the old tank, then just use the filter media that's in it now, bag up the gravel, and go ahead and transfer everything over. You can even hook the filter up to run for a while on the new tank if you aren't going to be using it on the old tank.
Just be careful not to let any of the items dry out between tanks.....drying will kill the beneficial bacteria and it will be of no use to you at all.
I hope this wasn't as clear as mud.........I know what I'm trying to say.......hope you can decifer it!
Good luck with the new tank and have fun.
Carol B
I would put an extra filter cartridge (or pouch) in the tank I have running. Keep the old one in there, but put the extra one in front of it if you have room, otherwise, put it in back of it. Let it stay there until you get ready to set up the new tank.
On set up day, take the OLD cartridge out of the old tank, and put it in the new tank to transfer the bacteria over. The NEW cartridge would have built up enough to carry on as long as you still have your substrate and you don't clean out your filter box. If you have gravel to spare in the OLD tank, put some in a stocking and tie it up. Throw it in with the water in your new tank. That way, when the tank is sufficiently cycled, you can take it out without a hassle.
There isn't a lot of bacteria in the water, so putting water from the old tank into the new one is not important.
If you are going to tear down the old tank, then just use the filter media that's in it now, bag up the gravel, and go ahead and transfer everything over. You can even hook the filter up to run for a while on the new tank if you aren't going to be using it on the old tank.
Just be careful not to let any of the items dry out between tanks.....drying will kill the beneficial bacteria and it will be of no use to you at all.
I hope this wasn't as clear as mud.........I know what I'm trying to say.......hope you can decifer it!
Good luck with the new tank and have fun.
Carol B
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