Big changeover - few questions

[Crispy]

Okay, so friday I wlll be tearing down the 130g and setting up the 190g. This all has to be done quickly because my 190 is going in the exact same spot as the 130 sits now (I already feel a headache coming on). I'll be using my 2 seeded filters and adding a new unseeded wet/dry. My questions are...

1. How long can I expect the biofilm on all my decor and such to stay alive out of the water? I figure it will sit outside the tank for 2 hours before it goes into the new tank.

2. Is there any point in using some of my 130s water to fill the 190? The water is very clean (in the 130) and I do twice weekly 40% changes now anyways (not sure about doing a 100% wc though)... wondering if it makes any difference or not? Stable ph is not an issue.

3. I'm not adding to my bioload for awhile, just wondering how long approx. for the wet/dry to accumulate bacteria when the other 2 filters are already seeded?

To top it all off, my work is making us go in friday night so I only have a 7hr window to move the 190 to my place (1hr drive there, 1hr back), take down and move the 130, then setup the 190, and get everything running smoothly. Should be fun.

Thanks in advance for any input! I need all the help I can get to pull this off.

[rich311k]

1. As long as it is damp you 24 hours easy.

2. I would not save any of the water, assuming your tap is the same as what is in the tank.

3. It should be fully develop in a month or so.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing the new tank all set up/

[sailor]

1. How long can I expect the biofilm on all my decor and such to stay alive out of the water? I figure it will sit outside the tank for 2 hours before it goes into the new tank.


If possible either put your decor in a rubbermaid tub with some of your tank water to stay wet.

[gabbyguppy]

Hmmmm....is anyone going to be at home when you leave for work?

If not, you might be better served waiting for a day when you won't be so rushed.

What if some of your equipment malfunctions? You won't be home to fix it.

Karen

[Crispy]

If possible either put your decor in a rubbermaid tub with some of your tank water to stay wet.

Not possible sailor. Too much decor, and too many fish to occupy ALL my totes and buckets. The decor will be sitting on a towel on the floor for a few hours I presume.

BTW, thanks rich! Yes, my tank water is same as my tap.

[sailor]

If you don't mind the extra laundry, get some towels wet with tank water and cover them to help keep them damp.

[Crispy]

Hmmmm....is anyone going to be at home when you leave for work?
If not, you might be better served waiting for a day when you won't be so rushed.
What if some of your equipment malfunctions? You won't be home to fix it.
Karen

Yes, someone will be home, but noone who is tank-knowledgable. My 2 HOBs will not malfunction (I can guarantee that)... only malfunction would be overflowing my sump (which I will try to prevent). I hafta do it on friday because someone is picking up my 130 on friday and I am way too busy saturday. Ohhhhhh, I hope this runs smoothly...

[Crispy]

If you don't mind the extra laundry, get some towels wet with tank water and cover them to help keep them damp.

I will do my best to keep all the decor damp. Good idea! thumbs2:

[Mvjnz]

With no oxygenated water flowing through the filter bacteria start dying off pretty quickly, and I wouldn't leave it without filtration for more than 2 hours, but 1 would be better.

Stick the fish in a big plastic tub and put the filter in there, then it will stay good for as long as you want.

[mattsbottleofjager]

I don't have any advice to add, but will be wishing a smoothe transition for you :11:

[Deleted User]

For keeping the biofilm on the decor viable, would you want to just put it in a bucket and fill it w/ some tank water?

[Deleted User]

Nevermind the above -- I posted before reading the rest of the thread...

I have to say that you have me laughing at myself as I am dreading replacing a 29g with a 38g destined for the same spot (though it is a PITA of a spot, top of a fake fireplace mantle). Still, you dealing with so many more times the volumn is making me figure I'm just lazy! thumbs2:

[Sharon]

Good luck and have fun!!!:ssmile:

[Northernguy]

Are you done yet?:hmm3grin2orange:
I have a bunch of buckets and rubbermaid totes I keep handy for such an occasion.It really makes life easy when changing tanks.
Just have everything ready before you start.
Its too bad you live so far south! lol I'd give you a hand!

[Crispy]

My filters will stay running on a 55g w/the arowana during this entire process. No worries there. All other fish will be in buckets. My living room is going to look like a messy aquarium shop I can imagine. I'll have myself and 3 other guys helping me out. Only one of them is aquarium savvy.

Hopefully the tank doesn't break and I don't lose any fish. I guess that should be my main concern. I don't think the fish will be out of the tank for more than 2 hours.

[Northernguy]

They are tough to break unless dropped or hit by something.
Friggin heavy tank though! lol
I made a dolly with large wheels for moving crazy heavy stuff.
Its worth its weight in gold.lol
Good Luck! I hope it all goes smooth.Save the beer for after!:hmm3grin2orange:

[Crispy]

Save the beer for after!:hmm3grin2orange:

Yes, my helpers are all being paid in beer! I will TRY and save the beer for when the big tank is in place. :hmm3grin2orange:

[fraggle]

Good luck Crispy!!!thumbs2:

[Crispy]

TODAY IS THE DAY! I Can hardly wait! :fish:

[rich311k]

Good luck. I hope that all goes well.

[MonkeyPox]

Okay, so friday I wlll be tearing down the 130g and setting up the 190g. This all has to be done quickly because my 190 is going in the exact same spot as the 130 sits now (I already feel a headache coming on). I'll be using my 2 seeded filters and adding a new unseeded wet/dry. My questions are...

1. How long can I expect the biofilm on all my decor and such to stay alive out of the water? I figure it will sit outside the tank for 2 hours before it goes into the new tank.

2. Is there any point in using some of my 130s water to fill the 190? The water is very clean (in the 130) and I do twice weekly 40% changes now anyways (not sure about doing a 100% wc though)... wondering if it makes any difference or not? Stable ph is not an issue.

3. I'm not adding to my bioload for awhile, just wondering how long approx. for the wet/dry to accumulate bacteria when the other 2 filters are already seeded?

To top it all off, my work is making us go in friday night so I only have a 7hr window to move the 190 to my place (1hr drive there, 1hr back), take down and move the 130, then setup the 190, and get everything running smoothly. Should be fun.

Thanks in advance for any input! I need all the help I can get to pull this off.

1. ~12-24 hours, depending on condition. I wouldn't be concerned about this, however, as the amount of bacteria on flat surfaced decor is relatively minimal. Much less then say, the sponge for mechanical filtration.
2. No appreciable benefit to using old tank water to try and seed. Very little nitro~ bacteria live in the water column.
3. Fairly quickly. Bacteria propagate on wet/drys faster then submerged.

If bacteria colony propagation is a concern, Tetra SafeStart or Seachem Stability may be useful to you.

[Crispy]

THE TANK IS HERE AND SETUP!!!! What a chore! But it's done now and all the fish are loving their new home. No casualties to report as of 40hrs. All went smoothly (albeit with a huge headache of a job). :fish:

[Crispy]

I didn't care about all the extras till I got home and sorted it all out. The tank came with:

-55g wet/dry
-3x AC110s
-3x 250watt stealth heaters
-2 AC402 powerheads w/quickchange filters and new media
-4 air pumps
-topfin60 filter
-whisper40 filter
-2 lrg sponge filters
-digital thermometer
-via-aqua 300wt submersible heater
-python
-coralife sw gravity hydrometer
-2L of aquaplus (my fav dechlor)
-1L rid-ich
-1L ph-down
-5 kinds of flakes/pellets (wardley/omega one)
-filter brushes
-large net
-new poly
-a ton of hoses/tubes/clamps and random parts

I think I am set for awhile :)

[Deleted User]

Great find and wonderful job setting it up!!! Way to go!!!

We changed a 29g over to a 38g and a 20g to the 29g, etc. Friday night. I was thinking of you!!! Thinking what a PITA our project was and how yours was 5x a bigger project!!! So far, all our fish are doing well, too thumbs2:

[Sharon]

Setting up tanks is really fun...especially when it's finished!!!:hmm3grin2orange: