Advice on Transferring contents of 29 gal to 45 gal

[Finney]

Hi all,

I picked up a 45 gal w/stand off craigslist and am planning to move everything in my 29 gal into it. I am wondering what the best way to go about this is. To start here is what I'm working with...

Current tank:

• 29 gal planted w/ Eco-complete (I think, bought it used and already established)
  
  
• Established about 8 years
• Livestock:
• 3 Hillstream Loaches
• 5 Cherry Barbs
• 3 Amano Shrimp
• 2 SAE
• 1 Kuhli Loach >he was the only one when I got the tank 4 years ago
• 1 Otocinclus > had more at one time

[li]Plants:[/li][li]

• Crypts>growing into/through driftwood and has popped up around the tank
• Anubias
• Ozelot (Echinodorus)>planted a couple weeks ago
• Argentine sword (Echinodorus Argentinensis)>planted a couple weeks ago
• Green (spot?) algae
• Brown Diatom "algae">a lot of this that I try to control

[/li][li]Light-Finnex Stingray[/li][li]

• <li>30" Pencil Thin Multi-Color LED Fixture
  
• (32) 7000k + (8) Actinic Blue LEDs + (8) 660nm Red LEDs
  
• True 660nm RED High CRI Scoring LED Bulbs
  
• 16 Output Watts
• 
  

[/ul][/li][/ul]</ul>

• Filter-Rena XP2-set up to create surface flow across length of tank
  
• 2 additional air bubblers

New Tank:

</li><li>45 gal w/36"Aqueon Basic led Econo-strip light 12V Output</li></ul>

Goal

• I need to put the new tank where the old one is sitting
• I want to keep plants & critters alive 
• I wish to remain a "low tech planted"

Concerns/questions

• Substrate is approx 8 years old and I've never stirred it up beyond the surface clean
• Large driftwood pieces are also 8 yrs old and have been deteriorating/decomposing but still look good
• A large portion of the crypts have grown through one large DW piece
• Brown dust/diatom covers everything, I control this by pouring very hot water over rocks and any hard-scape I can which temporarily turns them to green algae (as part of my maintenance routine during WC's)
• • I assume this also kills the BB on these items?
  • I would be happy to be rid of the brown diatoms but I don't want to eradicate all algae because of my Hill-streams which I plan to get more of
  • It also covers plant leaves which I try to minimize with some success
• I plan to add additional substrate because of the additional 6 inches of bottom space
• • Do I keep the old and add new to it?
  • Do I use the old as a base for plants and cover with sand or river gravel?
  • Do I go with all new substrate?
  
  
  

I've been trying to do research on upgrading tank size and advice is contradictory around keeping or tossing the existing substrate.
I would love some answers & advice from anyone who has done this type of swap (successfully  )

Thanks to all in advance!

[rusalka]

I don't consider myself an expert. My answer is intuitive, this is how I would do. I also have a 29 Gallon Sea Clear acrylic tank.
By mere fact that you need to put the new tank where the old is - you will have to find a temporary tank for your current fish. And fill it with your current water. Then you want to make the switch in less days possible, so that you keep the fish in the temporary tank for less time.
Once I've removed the fish I would pump out as much water as possible in some buckets, then remove plants, decoration and equipment. This will make the tank light enough to move it to the floor (if not, remove the gravel) and put the new tank on the old spot. Then you can pour there the old water.

I would rinse the old gravel in tap water, and rely on my two filters media to start the cycle (plus some Stability). Put the old gravel into the new tank, add some new gravel, start filters. Install all the equipment, plant the plants (with some plant food tabs?), add some de-chlorinated water to fill up the tank, and leave overnight. Next day I would check the water parameters and decide. I would also check the water parameters in the tank with fish. Most likely I would move the fish within the next two days.

I already see, by just writing this, that I would need to buy or borrow lots of buckets.

[Carl]

I would partially rinse your old substrate, but not dump it unless there have been issues. Just add fresh substrate to fill in since this is a larger aquarium
Some further information as to changing out substrate:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/08/aquarium-gravel-which-size.html

As for the old driftwood, unless you see fungus growing in areas of deterioration, I do not see a reason to get rid if it. I would just add to it too.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MangoWood.html

I would also suggest better lighting. The AAP AquaRay is unsurpassed in PAR/PUR output per watt and have a 5 year warranty.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquaRayLEDLighting.html

Lighting Information:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
aquarium-digest.com/2010/06/30/led-light-review-tmc-xg-1500-maxspect-more/

Carl

[Finney]

Thanks for the suggestions! Sorry you're not feeling well Carl.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Brown Diatoms? Am I just doomed to transfer it to the new tank?

Brown dust/diatom covers everything, I control this by pouring very hot water over rocks and any hard-scape I can which temporarily turns them to green algae (as part of my maintenance routine during WC's)

I assume this also kills the BB on these items?
I would be happy to be rid of the brown diatoms but I don't want to eradicate all algae because of my Hill-streams which I plan to get more of
It also covers plant leaves which I try to minimize with some success

The gravel article was very helpful, now I need to figure out where I can get some gravel cheaply

Thanks again, and feel better Carl

[rusalka]

Nerite snails to eat diatom?

[devonjohnsgard]

Agree with Carl on his advice.

I would cap with new substrate. Expect that the water would get cloudy when adding new water back in. So, gently add water and do a couple or few full water changes before putting any plants or decor in.

I would do a diluted 1/20 beach soak on the plants. I think the brown algae happens on slower growth plants, in low flow areas. I would use a power head to get more water moving and consider a co2 source for better growth of the plants. Even more so, if you upgrade to more light. Expect that the growth on the plants is going to get worse and will need to be cut off and the new growth be replanted.

[Carl]

This article from our "Aquarium Answers" library addresses Brown Diatoms:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/04/aquarium-algae.html#brown

Carl

[Finney]

I picked up some second-hand river rock/pea gravel and have been rinsing it for hours and I can't get the last bit of cloudiness to clear up.

It is not coated or colored type gravel it is small river pebbles/rocks with some flourite mixed in that he uses in his own aquariums. He is starting to reduce his number of tanks and this gravel came from one he took down.

I soaked it all in vinegar water for a couple of days. Sifted out the floating debris with a net, And then started the rinsing routine, smaller amounts in a bucket; rinse dump repeat endlessly

The water is no longer coming out brown or dirty looking it is just whitish cloudy when I pour it into a glass to check it.
I just can't seem to get it to the final clear stage, is there a point that will be good enough for the filter to handle? Or do I just need to keep at it? At this rate, I will be cleaning gravel for a couple of weeks ;(

Anyone have a similar experience?

This is turning into a much longer process than I was anticipating!

Thanks for any words of wisdom, in the meantime...back to rinsing ;(

[rusalka]

If the gravel is used than not likely it is leaking something. The white cloudiness will settle down in a little while.

[devonjohnsgard]

It will settle.

[Finney]

Next issue

The new tank is set up mostly since yesterday evening. fish aren't in it yet, need to add the rest of the plants.

Ammonia is at .50
should I do a water change? or should I let it work it's way out?

unfortunately, the ammonia in their temporary tank is also at .50 and there is no filter in it, just airstone and heater

I am wondering if I should do a water change on the tank and put the fish into it instead of having to do 2 water changes?

[Finney]

just tested my tap water and it's ammonia is 1.5 Now what???

[devonjohnsgard]

Water change, prime, and make sure the filter is not overly cleaned.

[Finney]

THANK YOU CARL, RUSALKA & DEVON! Your support was very much appreciated.

Everyone is in their new home and LOVING IT! 

The Hillies (Gandolf, Frodo & Samwise) are the stars of the show and the reason I upgraded the tank.
More Hillies to come once the tank settles for a while.



Gandolf and Frodo demonstrating why rocks are important  
photos.app.goo.gl/MsiHEJNjTe16hrvu8

Ammonia 0! 

[Finney]

Looks like the video didn't work maybe the link will...


New 45g Hillie home

[devonjohnsgard]

pretty pretty