Tank Upgrade Query

[nellie_nospu]

Hi all
Possible dumb question alert!
I'm moving my shebunkin to a larger tank soon
Can I use some of my tropical tank water in the new coldwater tank, to help start cycling? Or will they be the wrong species of bacteria? Any risk of pathogens being carried over as well?
I'll be putting a bit of the old coldwater in as well.

Cheers

 

[Shrimper]

Hi all
Possible dumb question alert!
I'm moving my shebunkin to a larger tank soon
Can I use some of my tropical tank water in the new coldwater tank, to help start cycling? Or will they be the wrong species of bacteria? Any risk of pathogens being carried over as well?
I'll be putting a bit of the old coldwater in as well.

Cheers

I think tropical and cold water tanks both have the same bacteria, its only a problem bacteria wise if one is saltwater. Don't quote me on this though!

I don't think there is much bacteria actually in the water, so it probably wouldn't make much difference if you use the old water. One thing you can do is transfer some of the filter media and then fishless cycle.

I see your moving the shebunkin from another tank... are there any other fish staying behind? If your are moving all the fish then just move all the filters at the same time and it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[nellie_nospu]

All fish moving to new tank, which is about 3 times the volume of the old one.
So in theory, if I moved the majority of their old water with them, would it just be equivalent to a major water change? Filter and some bits and pieces moving over too.

 

[Shrimper]

All fish moving to new tank, which is about 3 times the volume of the old one.
So in theory, if I moved the majority of their old water with them, would it just be equivalent to a major water change? Filter and some bits and pieces moving over too.

The water isn't as important as the filter... when you talk about cycling a tank its actually the filter your cycling. Bacteria in the filter will support the same bio load regardless of the size of the tank. So long as you move the filter at the same time as the fish it will be fine.

 

[nellie_nospu]

Ahhhhhhhhhh now I get it

Thanks

 

[nellie_nospu]

Dumb question #2!!

Playing with the aquarium calculator (how did I not see this before?! ) the new tank is big enough for 2 goldfish.

Do they prefer company? Or having been the only one of his kind, will mine prefer to stay single?