How long should it take to consolidate tanks?

[rk4435]

My plan has been to move a fish every week from the smaller tanks (36 gallon and 29 gallon) into the 90 gallon tank. This weekend I moved my Rusty Angel from one and a small rock with zinia (sp?) from the other and both seem happy.

I am concerned about the filtration in the 36 gallon as I have moved some of the rock from it to the 90 gallon. It is down to about 2o pounds of rock with two hob filters. It currently has a flame hawk, diamond goby, Picasso clown, tomini tang and a purple lobster.

Any advise on how to proceed as far as rock goes from the 36 gallon? I don't want to leave the current inhabitants in a bad way while trying to slowly merge to establish the bio filter in the 90 gallon tank.

 

[raz0945]

One of the things you can do is extra water changes to dilute the pollution in the smaller tank, move the hardiest fish first, feed more often but smaller meals, keep a close watch on ammonia, nitrite and use prime if you need it. Hope this helps!

 

[rk4435]

Thanks Raz, will do, especially the water changes. It is easy to neglect the existing tanks when setting up a new one. I am taking care of an 8 gallon, 29 gallon, 36 gallon, and the new 90. Life would be so much easier if I could simply throw everything in at once. So far I still have 0 ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on the new tank so it seems like everything is going well.

 

[rdnelson]

leveldrummer;892714 wrote: are you moving all livestock including all live rock? if the 90 is cycled, you can move all coral pretty much at once. if your moving all live rock also, you should be able to move all rock and fish at once also. the rock supports enough bacteria that will keep any ammonia at bay while things adjust, if you arent moving all rock, then do as your doing and move a fish a week, or two fish a week or so.

+1



I am going on a cruise.....on my lawnmower around my yard.

 

[rodasphoto]

You could also use Seachem Stability when you add the fish. Its bacteria in a bottle.

 

[rk4435]

I am moving all rock and fish from the two smaller tanks. Maybe I will take the plunge next weekend then if the parameters are still good. I dosed with stability for one week. I would love to be able to sell off the two smaller tanks ASAP; this has been a costly venture.

 

[jdavid]

There is one thing to worry about that comes to mind. If you have a bunch of detritus in the sand and on the rocks in the donor tanks, it will all be stirred up. When breaking down my brother's tank, it was so bad that you couldn't see through the water. Can't be good for the fish. Not to mention we couldn't see them to catch them. I know many people have to break down tanks just to catch a fish, but it is just something to consider. Of you see a whole bunch come off the first rock you move, might be a good idea to try to get as many fish as possible in buckets before proceeding.

Congrats on the new tank. I have (running) a 8g bc, 29g bc, 29 g LR holding, 40g breeder frag, 5g spec v. I know that consolidating is in my future as well.

Edit: There is one thing to worry about that comes to mind. If you have a bunch of detritus in the sand and on the rocks in the donor tanks, it will all be stirred up. When breaking down my brother's tank, it was so bad that you couldn't see through the water. Can't be good for the fish. Not to mention we couldn't see them to catch them. I know many people have to break down tanks just to catch a fish, but it is just something to consider. Of you see a whole bunch come off the first rock you move, might be a good idea to try to get as many fish as possible in buckets before proceeding.

Congrats on the new tank. I have (running) a 8g bc, 29g bc, 29 g LR holding, 40g breeder frag, 5g spec v. I know that consolidating is in my future as well.