When To Move The Filter Into New Tank?

[corpse fish]

I got a new filter for my new tank and decided to put it in my main tank to get cycled. Well now my nitrite and nitrate levels are wicked unsafe, so I want to move some of the fish to the new tank so that the ammonia doesn't get really high (if it hasn't already). How long should I wait before putting the new filter into the new tank?

 

[Tolak]

Ok, I'm confused (nothing new!). You have an established cycled tank (main tank), added a new filter to run along the established filtration system. You shouldn't have any spikes of any sort in the established cycled tank if you left the established filtration system alone & added an extra filter.

How long has the main tank been running, what are the filters running, what size tank is it, and what type & how many of what type of fish are in it? How big is the new tank, and what type of filter are you cycling for it? Which fish are you going to switch or add to the new tank.

Sorry for all the questions, but I switch filters, fish, and sometimes tanks on a regular basis.

Tolak

 

[corpse fish]

Ok, I'm confused (nothing new!). You have an established cycled tank (main tank), added a new filter to run along the established filtration system. You shouldn't have any spikes of any sort in the established cycled tank if you left the established filtration system alone & added an extra filter.

How long has the main tank been running, what are the filters running, what size tank is it, and what type & how many of what type of fish are in it? How big is the new tank, and what type of filter are you cycling for it? Which fish are you going to switch or add to the new tank.

Sorry for all the questions, but I switch filters, fish, and sometimes tanks on a regular basis.

Tolak

The main tank has been running for about 3 weeks i think, maybe a bit longer, and it came with a top fin 10 power filter.
Both tanks are 10 gal with 4 mollies in the established tank (maybe thanks part of the problem, but i should be spot on for the rule)
For the new tank I bought a penguin 100 bio wheel, and I plan to move my black pregnant molly Int the new tank by herself, seeing as how she doesn't seems to like her tank mates and the new tank is for her baby fry.

 

[Tolak]

3 weeks means it's just barely cycled, that may be the reason for the spikes. Run the new filter on the main tank for around 2 weeks, then transfer the fish & filter to the new tank. Use half the water from the main tank along with the new filter & molly.

In theory, and as a general rule that has worked for me, if you have a tank running 2 identical filters, you can take 1 filter & half the fish and set up another suitably sized tank. I do this with bare bottom tanks so gravel & other decos are not an issue, they would add in if you are using them.

For a fry tank, that penguin filter will probably have too much water flow at first. Something over the intake will definitely be needed. If you have an air pump, cycle a sponge filter in the main tank, they work best for fry. As for the intake of the penguin, I've found sponges work best, they diffuse the intake, and the fry tend to snack on anything built up on them. Pick up an Aqua Clear mini sponge, poke a hole in it with a sharp knife, & slide it over. You don't want any fry getting sucked in.

Tolak

 

[corpse fish]

ok Thanks tolak, you're a big help! If by any chance, my molly starts to give birth sooner than 2 weeks, would it be ok to put her in the new tank and transfer the filter then? The breeder tank right now only has 2 plants in it right now, no gravel or other decor, but the most pregnant molly bullies the other molly around, including another one of my pregnant mollies, and I think one i get the mean one out the others will feel less stressed and more comfortable and not abort fry.

 

[Tolak]

Why not try a divider for a temporary fix?

Tolak

 

[corpse fish]

Why not try a divider for a temporary fix?

Tolak

I've never seen any in my lfs, and i think it would be a little too small for her and she might abort her fry plus, my airstone runs right through the middle of the tank

 

[Tolak]

You can make your own divider, I use eggcrate, it's used for light diffusion with ceiling mounted flourescent fixtures. You don't have to divide the tank down the middle, 1/3 of a 10 gallon would be plenty of room for 1 molly, and probably less stressful than being harassed by other fish.

Tolak