What would be the best way to....

[kermit13sg]

Upgrade a tank size? I am about to upgrade my 1.5feet to a 2feet but I would like to import all my plants including my Monte Carlo carpet. I would probably need to add soil but would that introduce Ammonia.

This is what I planned to do.
1. Remove livestock into temp tank with existing water.
2. Slowly port all the carpet to new tank
3. Add new water with existing water.
4. Use existing Media in new filter and run it till water clears.
5. Add livestock into new tank

Will this work?


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[Apistoinka]

I think if you were to add new soil you would still need to cycle your tank.. correct me if im wrong... new soil will sure have nirate and amonia..

[kermit13sg]

i do think so too...but i am hoping the existing matured media can help dissipate it...i have no other choice..cannot relocate my livestock to anywhere else/

[Apistoinka]

Keep it in a temp tank or container first.. cycling with your previous used media i think will faster the process as the media will have all the bacteria needed for the tank..

[kermit13sg]

Yes, but I also can't keep them in a container for too long


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[Apistoinka]

Probaly fastest time is a week to 2 weeks.. you can try doing wc everyday for first 3 days.. that might help to clear the amonia than by a week time you might be able to add the fishes in..

[kermit13sg]

sounds like a plan, thank you for helping..

[Apistoinka]

No problem.. but i not sure if it works.. other might be able to help too.. still learning though maybe you might wanna see what others bro here have to say.. else i might give you the wrong info..

[kermit13sg]

Ok, it seems like the most logical way...but I will wait and see and update if all livestock survive the migration.

[jkcs]

my views but may not work (so it is like not helping you at all):

1) sell off the livestock before the migration or
2) dont sell off but add more products that resolve the ammonia issue
e.g. a) products that reduce/remove ammonia
b) products that adds beneficial bacteria

[kermit13sg]

my views but may not work (so it is like not helping you at all):

1) sell off the livestock before the migration or
2) dont sell off but add more products that resolve the ammonia issue
e.g. a) products that reduce/remove ammonia
b) products that adds beneficial bacteria

Any inputs are worth considering, thanks for replying.

[kermit13sg]

normally how long will ammonia be release from new soil?

[Urban Aquaria]

The best method is to transfer the fishes into a temporary tank with a cycled filter, shift a portion of the old media over with the existing filter to help handle the bio-load. You can just use a large plastic tank, i use this method quite often.

Start the new 2ft tank and plant it fully, let it run with another filter (preferably a larger one to match the larger tank volume), once it's cycled then transfer the fishes over.

The other option is to run both the 1.5ft and 2ft tanks concurrently, both with their own filters (shift a portion of the seasoned media over to the new filter to kickstart the cycle). Plant the new tank with fresh new plants. Once the new 2ft tank is fully cycled and the plants have grown out, then shift the fishes over. Now you have 2 nicely aquascaped tanks.

This is one of the reasons why we all end up with more and more tanks.

[tetrakid]

normally how long will ammonia be release from new soil?

In any case, you have a secret weapon - frequent water change. This counters the build-up of ammonia which is most toxic to fishes. As long as close attention is given in this regard, your fish will not be endangered by toxicity. It also relieves the limited bacteria colony of trying to cope with too much ammonia too fast.

I learnt this when I was a kid, who knew nothing about bacteria and such things. I had goldfish which fouled up the tank very quickly. I often did big water changes, thus managing to keep them for years without problems.

Of courses you must have a good supply of aged water available all the time.

[kermit13sg]

The best method is to transfer the fishes into a temporary tank with a cycled filter, shift a portion of the old media over with the existing filter to help handle the bio-load. You can just use a large plastic tank, i use this method quite often.

Start the new 2ft tank and plant it fully, let it run with another filter (preferably a larger one to match the larger tank volume), once it's cycled then transfer the fishes over.

The other option is to run both the 1.5ft and 2ft tanks concurrently, both with their own filters (shift a portion of the seasoned media over to the new filter to kickstart the cycle). Plant the new tank with fresh new plants. Once the new 2ft tank is fully cycled and the plants have grown out, then shift the fishes over. Now you have 2 nicely aquascaped tanks.

This is one of the reasons why we all end up with more and more tanks.

Thanks UA, I have done just that and all seems ok now.


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[kermit13sg]

In any case, you have a secret weapon - frequent water change. This counters the build-up of ammonia which is most toxic to fishes. As long as close attention is given in this regard, your fish will not be endangered by toxicity. It also relieves the limited bacteria colony of trying to cope with too much ammonia too fast.

I learnt this when I was a kid, who knew nothing about bacteria and such things. I had goldfish which fouled up the tank very quickly. I often did big water changes, thus managing to keep them for years without problems.

Of courses you must have a good supply of aged water available all the time.

Thanks TEtrakid... Yeah plan to change water more frequently over the next few days


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[kermit13sg]

Hi all, just an update.

All fishes teleported without causalties. However, my monte carlo not rooting properly and there seem to be algae bloom. Dark green algae started to settle on my monte carlo. Some appearing on glass too, got to scrap and water change.