Switching Tanks

[ibuyafish]

Hello Everyone,

So after fighting with my 10 gallon tank for the past few months, I'm going to upgrade to a 30 gallon tank and had some questions. Basically am I just going to add new water to the tank and transfer the fish to the new tank, or am I going to put 20 gallons of new water and use the old tank water for the last 10. My filter is already cycled, I bought a penguin biowheel 150 and it is running on the back of my 10 gallon right now.

Also, I would like to switch over to sand, and just wanted to make sure it was okay to do with a pleco. Not really sure what kind though, I bought him at the local pet store.

 

[Wills]

Can you post a pic of the plec, if its a common its far too big for both your tanks. But sand should be fine, with the move just move everything over from the filters all the old water and it should go okay

 

[ibuyafish]

Yeah, I also kind of figured that he was getting a little big... He's also a little camera shy.

 

[Wills]

Yep thats a common, highly unsuitable for your tank. I would rehome ASAP

 

[ibuyafish]

What kind of environment does this kind of pleco need to be in?

 

[Wills]

a 6 foot tank around the 120 gallon mark with heavy external filtration

If you like plecos there are lots that will be suitable for your upgrade tank, its just unfortunate that the most commonly sold one gets so big and messy. There are actually lots of different types of plec that stay well under 6 inches and some that only reach 2 inches.

 

[ibuyafish]

How does one go about finding a new home for a fish? Never thought I would have to ask that one.

 

[Wills]

You could take them back to the LFS or advertise on the classified section here.

 

[ibuyafish]

Well, I'll find a good home for him then. But I do really love plecos, they are amazing fish. What kind should I look into getting for a 30 gallon tank?

 

[OldMan47]

A 30 is big enough to have a bristle nose. They come in plain colors much like your sailfin but also come in albino variations and long finned variations. They only get about 4 or 5 inches body length so you could even keep a pair in a tank that size and breed them. You need to be careful not to end up with multiple male plecs in a tank as they can be quite territorial.

 

[ibuyafish]

Well if anyone is in the philadelphia area and needs a good size pleco that has more cleaning power then a dirt devil, hit me up.

 

[ibuyafish]

Is it okay to take a salt water tank and turn it into a fresh water tank?

 

[Wills]

Yep it is my tank was a salt water tank before I got it just make sure you scrub everything down with warm water first and replace all the filter media etc. What size have you found?

 

[ibuyafish]

May have found a sixty gallon tank, waiting to hear from insurance company about liability insurance coverage. I live in an apartment and if something happens I want to make sure that we are covered for any damage that our downstairs neighbors may get

 

[Wills]

Ah right yeah that sounds cool. Im in an apartment as well and I know what you mean lol