getting a 55 gallon tank. have some questions

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by BettaGuy Actually with the filter from the 15g you shouldn't need to cycle the aquarium again as long as you don't add new fish appart from the ones you already have. Just hook up the existing filter to the 55g along with a big filter that can actually filter a 55g. There wont be any spikes because you still have the old filter working, and the new filter will slowly build up beneficial bacteria.

so pretty much once the tank has the gravel and everything in and the water has been added i hook up the new filter and then run it and take the filter from the 15g and run it and right away i can add my fish or do i have to wait a little bit?

[Obsidian]

You add the fish right away to keep the filter fed. Do not add anymore fish until the new filter is established, that could take a couple of weeks.

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by Obsidian You add the fish right away to keep the filter fed. Do not add anymore fish until the new filter is established, that could take a couple of weeks.

ok cool thanks everyone for all the help. u guys rock!! glad i joined this fish forum

[BettaGuy]

Its a great forum, so many experienced people on here.

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by BettaGuy Its a great forum, so many experienced people on here.

Thats true. Hey i was wondering if my 2 glass catfish will be ok once i transfer them to the new tank.

[BettaGuy]

What do you mean with ok? If they have been in the old tank with the old fish and you transfer them together there really shouldn't be a problem. All the fish will have more space to swim and so on. As long as you didn't have a substrate in the old tank which altered the ph all the fish should be fine.

[TankdreamerJim]

I'm running aquaclear on both my tanks too they are great and never leave you hung out to dry! Other filters that take cartridges when they plug up you will at some point have to replace it mine use to plug up so bad I couldn't rinse them out they would still not allow flow even after I cleaned it. Aquaclear has a sponge that you can clean out and it runs like new again never let me down. You also have bio cubes that come with it, make sure you use them they are great and the option of using chemical filtration which I don't use because there isn't anything in my water I have a well so it's basically spring water going in my tank. I have Aquaclear 30 on a 10 gallon and Aquaclear 70 on my 30 gallon. So 110 would probably be your best bet. Goodluck.

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by BettaGuy What do you mean with ok? If they have been in the old tank with the old fish and you transfer them together there really shouldn't be a problem. All the fish will have more space to swim and so on. As long as you didn't have a substrate in the old tank which altered the ph all the fish should be fine.

ok cool that works. i read that the glass catfish are fragile but im pretty sure they will be fine.

[BettaGuy]

Transfer them like you did when you got them. Don't just dump them in the new aquarium. I would see if you can get a big plastic bag/container and put all the fish (a few each time) in there. Then acclimate using the floating bag method. They should be fine if you do that.

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by BettaGuy Transfer them like you did when you got them. Don't just dump them in the new aquarium. I would see if you can get a big plastic bag/container and put all the fish (a few each time) in there. Then acclimate using the floating bag method. They should be fine if you do that.

yea i was actually thinking of doing that. as far as heaters go the one from the 15g wouldnt do the job correct?

[Angelclown]

You will need a 200 watt heater for the 55 gallon. I can't remember what wattage the heater is for a 15 gallon, but it may be too small of wattage for the 55 gallon. If it is a 100 watt, then you can use it with a 200 watt in the 55 gallon. I only have one heater working in my 55 gallon tank, used to have two working, but one quit working. Having two heaters in the 55 gallon is a good thing, in case one quits working.

[svtcobra22]

Originally Posted by Angelclown You will need a 200 watt heater for the 55 gallon. I can't remember what wattage the heater is for a 15 gallon, but it may be too small of wattage for the 55 gallon. If it is a 100 watt, then you can use it with a 200 watt in the 55 gallon. I only have one heater working in my 55 gallon tank, used to have two working, but one quit working. Having two heaters in the 55 gallon is a good thing, in case one quits working.

the heater i have is a 100 watt

[sean_130]

200-300 watt for a55 wouldn't hurt to get two tho as stated above,

[svtcobra22]

ok cool. cant wait for this tank to be up and running i will for sure have to take a pic of it and post it up on here for you guys to check it out

[svtcobra22]

hey guys so a little update on the 55g its all setup and running. attached is a picture of it. let me know what you guys think.