Sand vs. Gravel????

[Mzungu]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Lots of great ideas. Just to chime in, can you use the filter you have on the 75? If you just transfer that over to the 100 when it's set up, that would help greatly to boost the beneficial bacteria growth. Or, I think Raul said it, you could possibly transfer some of your old filter media to the inside of the canister.

If you plan on moving some of the substrate, just be careful. I'd do it after the fish are out of the tank, because if it's been set up for a while, there's a good chance that the anaerobic pockets, when disturbed, could release H2S, which is not at all good for your fish.

Keep us updated on how it's going!  

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I am definately beginning to "freak out"....the new 100 gallon is coming in on Friday and the 75 gallon is being sold on Saturday. I don't have any internal canister filters....I have NO CLUE how to get the good bacteria in the tank because I can't hang the filters I have now in the 100 gallon because the 100 is a custom tank that is covered in wood.

To make matters worse...I have no clue what "anaerobic pockets" are and I didn't even know H2S even existed.

I'm switching substrate...so I'll have no bacteria. AND...I have no clue where to put my fish in the meantime. My other 75 is brackish.

WOW.

[Mzungu]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Okay, first of all, it'll be okay!  :)

Do you have a filter for the 100 gallon yet? If so, what kind? It doesn't really matter, as all you really need to do is somehow take the old media out of the 75's filter and place it somewhere in the 100's filter. That's where the largest concentration of bacteria will be. Second would probably be the substrate. The water doesn't hold very much of it, but I have "instant-cycled" tanks before using just water from an established tank.

If the Saturday sale is firm, then you still have half a day to get everything in order, right? The 100 comes in Friday? Your fish will be fine in buckets for a couple hours. Let me know if I'm completely off here - it IS almost time for me to go home after a day's work.  

And don't worry about the anaerobic pockets and H2S, since you're not transferring the substrate.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

If worst comes to worst head over to FishRanchII or Village Tropical and pick up a few packets of Bio-spira.

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I didn't know that switching tanks would be such a monstrous hassle.

Sheesh.
This is what I'm going to ATTEMPT to do:
#1) Set up a 30 gallon in my gameroom tonight and have it filtered and ready for Saturday's move.
#2) I'll move all my fish to the 30 gallon while I'm switching tanks.
#3) I'll get rubbermaid containers full of my old water and stack them in the hall.
#4) I'll stick my old filter cartridges in my newly bought canister filter *crosses fingers*..I'm still in the makings of buying it.
#5) I'll put the old substrate in buckets to go with the 75 gallon to be sold
#6) I'll dump the cloudy bottom water down the sink
#7) Move 75 g. tank and stand downstairs
#8) Move 100 gallon up and put in "washed" pool sand
#9) filter the tank for a night and add "bio-spira"
#10) Pray my fish don't die because I have to move them to the new 100 g. that same night.

Does it sound like it may REMOTELY work??
Please feel free to let me know your opinions. They are GREATLY appreciated. (:
If you think you have a different approach that may work better, I would LOVE to hear it.
Thank you for your responses ahead of time.

[Spot86t]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Where ever you put the old filter cartridges/media, I would aerate it.  A simple air stone would likely be sufficient.

That's just my opinion.  Based on what I've read about bacteria - it likes to have oxygen.

[Ellen]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Step #3 will not work. One, rubbermaids loose their integrity, ie bow out when filled with water. Two, they are going to be next to impossible to stack, even if they keep their shape, because they will be HEAVY. Three, there is NO reason to keep old, dirty water. Your fish will thank you for the new clean stuff.

Ellen

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

My fish will like new tap water? I don't keep cycled water on hand....I thought the old water would be better than new tap water. Please let me know which is better...old water or new tap water?

[Ellen]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Unless you are doing something drastic to your water to condition it before adding it to your tanks, new water will be fine, even better, IMO. Some people don't like to use all new water, but then again, most of the time those people have never tried it! Or, if you never do water changes, doing a complete water replacement can cause the fish some shock because the fish are 'used' to the dirty water.

I have moved several times and always with completely new water and never have had a fish suffer from it!

Ellen

[Ellen]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Also, the water is not "cycled" although it might be aged. Water holds little to no nitrifying bacteria. As long as you don't harm your filter media, a fully cycled tank will not experience a cycle.

Ellen

[Mzungu]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I'm always scared to use completely new water, it's probably not rational, but I can't help it! It all depends on how different your tank's water is from the tap. Ellen's right, though, and even though I don't like to use ALL new water, I usually do something like a reverse water change - 20% old, 80% new from tap (dechlorinated, of course). Maybe put about 20 gallons old water in the 30 gallon to hold your fish, and transfer the whole thing to the 100 when it's set up? That way you don't have to fill any tubs. And as long as you have your old filter media in your new filter, you shouldn't really need the bio-spira.

Everything else sounds great!  

[kyalib]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Just my $.02, I have used walmart knockoffs of rubbermaid (sterilite??) and they seem less flexible and tend to bow less, yet still totally unstackable.  Also, 5 gallon buckets are pretty cheap at hardware stores....  

Ellen is right, new water should be fine IF your current water is clean.  I have moved countless aquariums for people and personally sent some fish into shock by using water that was too clean for them.  They were too used to living in filth.

[MJY6087]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

how do plecos fare in pool filter sand?

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

That's a VERY good question...will my plecos die?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I think sand is perfect for plecos!!!!

It's softer on their bellies! I have sand for my L046 zebras and they are in great shape.