I have a 20 gal saltwater tank with live rock, half dozen coral, and a clarkii clown. I would like to upgrade to a 45 gal tank. I am planning on using my 20 gal for trickle filter. I am planning on buying new equipment for this to occomodate tank size. My plan is to use exsisting water, along with water bought from my pet store to fill new tank. I am wondering if I can just put my hang on filter, that i am currently using on new tank for a month or so until new filtering system is broke in enough to handle bio load. I don't have room to set up new tank seperately as far as cycling out and then just switching over. is this a realistic plan or will it not work? My hang on filter is actually a 30 gal filter.
transfering tanks 20gal to 45
- Thread starter jdog6973
- Start date
I am not planning on putting any "fresh" water in the new tank. I am putting the 15 or so out of mye old, combined with some from my pet store. My other buddy is going to give me about 10 from his tank as well. We often have traded rocks and other critters between our tanks. I do understand the risks with water from other tanks. My biggest concern is like you said, the water from lfs. I have been using a filter rated for a 30 gal. tank on my 20 ever since I started the tank. So being as I will not have any new water in the new tank, combined with the use of the filter i've been using. do u think that this will be sufficient until my new filter can handle load alone, Also do you think 6 weeks or so would be enough time to break in new filter? Thanks by the way for your input!!!
weimluv1
Premium Member
I'm confused, also. The live rock you have is a sufficient enough biological filter for your 1 fish that you currently have. Using "broken-in" saltwater isn't really going to make a difference, at all. The needed bacteria for cycling a tank is for the most part, in/on your live rock and filter and sand, not in your water.
As for using the 30g-rated filter on your new tank, that's fine, too. (This is exactly what most do when QT'ing new fish...taking a filter off the main tank and putting it on a new tank) I really don't see the point, though. Unless it's used for running carbon and stuff like that.
Are you going to be adding new live rock to your bigger tank???
As for using the 30g-rated filter on your new tank, that's fine, too. (This is exactly what most do when QT'ing new fish...taking a filter off the main tank and putting it on a new tank) I really don't see the point, though. Unless it's used for running carbon and stuff like that.
Are you going to be adding new live rock to your bigger tank???
