Upgrading To A 55 Gal, How Do I Get It Going?

[kalihat]

Hi Everyone!

I guess you could say i'm a semi-newbie, I've had tanks for the last few years, with great success, but it's time to jump to a larger tank, and i'm a newbie there!

I'm upgrading from a 20gal to a 55, and my plan is to get a used one. I have a good possibility right now (55 gallon aquarium for sale. Include RENA filstar filter (orig $200), stand, tank, two tank canopies and many supplies. Heater, water pump, air pump, nets, etc etc.) all that for 350, or OBO (i'll negotiate ). It sounds like good deal, just curious what the more experienced think. They also said they can provide me with aquarium ready water, but I'm hesitant because I don't know if it could endanger my fish.

My main question is about cycling. If I can use water and gravel from my current tank and/or get water from the seller, how do I need to go about cycling this tank? I've never done so before, and I want to get this one set up as well as I can from the beginning, so my fish to love their new home!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[M'al-finny]

Well, my advice is to practice your water changes to figure out the best method. Especially if the hood is heavy and the tank top high up due to the stand.

Good luck!

 

[*Fishkies*]

Take a water sample of their "aquarium ready water". Also adding your own stones or filter media that has already been cycled would probably be better then the aquarium water they are offering.

Cycling involves many water changes. And testing the water in the tank a lot.

 

[kalihat]

Take a water sample of their "aquarium ready water". Also adding your own stones or filter media that has already been cycled would probably be better then the aquarium water they are offering.

Cycling involves many water changes. And testing the water in the tank a lot.

Thanks for your reply. I've never truly cycled a tank before. But I know with one this large it is necessary. Could you recommend a book or a website that goes through the process? I'm going to look for something, but if you know of anything that'd be great. I do plan to use the gravel in the new tank that is in the one I have now, how much does that help?

Thanks for helping out a cycling newie!

 

[*Fishkies*]

Try to PM rdd1952 he's really knowledgeable about cycling. He's the one who wrote the cycling article, listed below.

Cycling Article

 

[kalihat]

Try to PM rdd1952 he's really knowledgeable about cycling. He's the one who wrote the cycling article, listed below.

Cycling Article

I'll check it out. Thanks!