acclimation and cycling

[gball]

I just bought a 55g to replace my 20g which was on the way out. I moved over the filter from the 20 (the other filter was done) for the bacteria as well as the fish:2 black mollie (11 babies), 4 H raspbora, 2 guppies, 1 oto, 2 glass shrimp. I was told that I will have somewhat of a mini cycle since I am using old filter (the 55g also has AC 50, AC 70). I tested the water today (7.2pH, .25ppm ammonia, 0 nitrite, 20 nitrate. I really need to switch some of the fish between my other 20g and the 55g because the Mollies and guppies are having sex too much, too many babies. Would it be okay to go ahead and move over the fish? The other tank is running nicely but is over stocked, water test was good. The only difference in the two tanks is temp (78.2, 79.8) and ammonia (no ammonia in 20g).:help:

[mac]

Hmm you got the old filter on it. And that has helped a bit. I would take the mollies out and then wait as long as you can before adding the other.

If you can take some of the gravel out of you old tank and add to new tank. That will help with bacteria.

IMO get some stress coat to. And add that to the new tank.

mac

[tanks4thememories]

Most live barers have several batches of babies from one mating. They actually save the milt and fertilize their own eggs till their "Cache" runs out.
I only mention this to suggest it may not be of consequence to move them now or later as they will have babies anyway. The mating is just for fun if the females reserve is not depleted...lol

I would not put more fish in a tank that is already having ammonia problems. If you feel you must then it would be very useful to do frequent water changes till it is cycled. Keep in mind however that the more WC you do the longer it takes to become cycled. Cycling with fish is a balancing act on one hand you need to rid the tank of toxins to keep fish alive but on the other you need the toxins to get the cycle completed.

Hope this info was helpful, and GL with your decision.

[Cermet]

Most live barers have several batches of babies from one mating. They actually save the milt and fertilize their own eggs till their "Cache" runs out.
I only mention this to suggest it may not be of consequence to move them now or later as they will have babies anyway. The mating is just for fun if the females reserve is not depleted...lol

I would not put more fish in a tank that is already having ammonia problems. If you feel you must then it would be very useful to do frequent water changes till it is cycled. Keep in mind however that the more WC you do the longer it takes to become cycled. Cycling with fish is a balancing act on one hand you need to rid the tank of toxins to keep fish alive but on the other you need the toxins to get the cycle completed.

Hope this info was helpful, and GL with your decision.

Don't you love it the way that trying and keeping the ammonia level low to protect the fish works against the cycling?

Still, I did 90% WC to hold my ammonia levels as low as possible but I had a lot of large fish and ... well, my ammonia was never zero and always climbing. That was useful since with some seed filter, my tank fully cycled in just under three weeks. Of course I measured ammonia (and nitrite) morning and evening and change water those times as well. I think that fish cycling isn't worth the work.