Starting 55Gal Tank

[LunchBox]

I just purchased a used 55gal tank with a stand, filter, heater, used gravel, and an under-gravel filter from a local aquarium maintenance company and I am anxious to get it started. I have heard a lot about using substrate from a different, already established tank to kick start the cycling process. I have a 10 gallon tank that has been up and running for about 6 months that has a foam Rocky Shoals (or something like that..) filter (a foam background/biological filter that covers the entire back wall of the tank), gravel, a few decorations, and some fish in it (list of my fish at the bottom). From what I've heard, just putting the gravel and foam filter from the 10gal into my 55gal should help the cycle get started and cut down on the time it'll take to complete. But I've also heard that just squeezing some water out of the foam filter and putting it in my tank will do it, and one guy at a local shop (not a chain like PetSmart) told me to just put the entire 10gal tank inside the 55gal and start it that way. So I suppose my questions are:

1. Which of those options would work best or be sufficient?

2. What should I do with my fish during the cycling period if I take out the sponge filter (there is no other filter in the tank) and gravel?

3. How long should I expect the cycling period to take when using my sponge filter? (I've heard it does it almost "instantly", others say it cuts the cycle time to 2-4 weeks)

4. Would my fish survive if I just put my entire 10gal inside the 55gal? (That sounds kinda crazy to me BTW..)

5. Anyone have any better or more informed suggestions?

I feel like I just got lucky that I didn't lose any fish while following the directions in a Top Fin 10 Gallon starter kit when I first started. I really don't want to lose any of my fish and I want to make sure I do this right. Thank you in advance for your help.


My Fish:
- Upside Down Catfish
- Raphael Catfish
- 2 Peppered Cory Cats
- 2 Mystery Snails

Yup, I know, all catfish haha

 

[Hunterprey]

Its better if you just transfer all the ornaments, filter, gravel, water and fish into your 55 gallon tank,then just add same temperature, dechlorinated water to your 55 gallon to top it up. ur filter must be cycled if its been running for 6 months already. unless you've been rinsing the media with water straight from tap. Have you been cleaning the filter media with just tank water?

I`d check the water stats regularly tho to be safe. And dont add another fish for awhile. You can run the new filter with ur current one. If the new filter is stronger, then maybe just put the filter media from your 10 gallon to your new filter and still have both filter running. You can also add some more gravel and ornaments if you wish. Good Luck.

 

[Geoff-]

Most of the bacteria live in the filter, not the substrate.

At a minimum you need to fill the new tank with suitable temperature dechlorinated water, move your filter to the new tank and move your fish.

I would transfer all the existing water as well, that way you have a mix of aged water and fresh water (10G aged and 45G fresh) akin to a partial water change rather than 100% water replacement. This will be slightly less stressful to your fish.

Don't put the actual 10 gallon tank inside the 55 gallon! It seems like a silly idea because it is.

 

[LunchBox]

I don't exactly rinse it the filter because I was told I wouldn't have to for about a year. I just do a 20% water change with tap water every week to week and half. And are you saying I should add around 45 gallons of new water, get it to the correct temp and parameters, then add everything, including the fish to the new tank?

 

[Hunterprey]

You still have to clean ur filter media with tank water once a month. Cause the poop and food are stuck there, just do a quick one, tho NOT thoroughly, very gentle. I just squeeze the sponge twice gently and shake it twice slowly.

Add the fish and water to the 55 gallon tank, then slowly add same temp, dechlorinated water (45gallons) I did the same method to my fish and I still have them. From 20g to 50g to 120g then 125g. More importantly add the filter media from 10 gallon to the new tank.

 

[LunchBox]

Add the fish and water to the 55 gallon tank, then slowly add same temp, dechlorinated water (45gallons) I did the same method to my fish and I still have them. From 20g to 50g to 120g then 125g. More importantly add the filter media from 10 gallon to the new tank.

But if I'm only adding 10 gallons of water to the 55 Gallon (probably a little less because that sponge filter takes up a lot of volume), wouldn't the fish only have a couple inches of water when it's spread out across the 55gal? Or should I just put 2 and 2 together and add a little more water when I put the contents of the 10 gallon in? haha just trying to be thorough

Also, how slowly should I add the water?

 

[Hunterprey]

Yeah its OK that the water level is only a couple inches of water. Its very important that you add same temperature, dechlorinated water slowly. Some people here do 90% water change in their tank.

Maybe wait a few minutes after every pail. And pour the pail as slowly as possible. I only transfered 20 gallons of water from my 120 gallon when I transfer them to my 125 gallon, and added all new water to fill it up, all my fish are swimming actively in their new tank.

 

[LunchBox]

oh ok. when you said slowly, i though you meant over a couple days haha. but i'll give that a shot tomorrow and see how it goes. hopefully i won't lose any fish! thank you for the advise. anything else i should know?

 

[Hunterprey]

Yeah good luck mate. I heard people losing fish during transfer, I never lost any fish doing this method tho.
And you dont have to wait for days to fill it up they gonna need their heater and filter back, you cant hook it up if its only 4 inches of water in the tank

Anything else? I guess dont overfeed and still keep track of your water parameters. In my case it cycled pretty instant TBH. Hope your fish enjoy their new tank!

 

[LunchBox]

thanks again. if i remember, ill post how it went in a few days.

 

[LunchBox]

tank is started, fish survived the move. thanks for all the help

 

[Hunterprey]

Really glad to hear that. They must loving their new bigger tank. Post a picture once ur done decorating n stuff