[Doane]

I am looking at purchasing a 120 gallon tank on thursday, its already in use and the Gentleman from whom I am buying it said he would be more than happy to deliver it. If I take his filters, my substrate, my powerheads (with filter attachments) and some of my rocks, should I be able to put 1 or 2 fish in there to start the bio cycle. If I am able to put those fish in, how long before i move the rest of the community? I know that according to the article on the site you can use these things to jump start the cycle, just how well would this work? I plan on removing his filters eventually (HOB Bio-Wheel filters) for an Enheim Pro II 2028 which I am also purchasing (from someone else). So my questions are this:

1. Should I move in a fish or 2 to help maintain the bio load after moving 2 powerheads, 2 filters, and 1 canister into this tank.

2. How long before any "evil" bugs in these tanks would show themselves? In other words, what can I do to protect myself from things like Ich and other diseases?

3. If I am moving the tank again in the next few months would it be better to just leave it running with 1 or 2 fish and move the rest of the community later?

 

[Paulbearer]

1. If you are keeping his filters and such, it would depend on what he had in the tank. Also, make sure you have him keep water from his aquarium in the filters and such to keep the bio there. That is the bio-load that is there now based on what he had in the tank. Keep in mind, all might not survive from the substrate and such.

2. You shouldn't have any if you maintain the water changes weekly at about 30%-50% and just watch your fish for signs of disease.

3. If you are moving again it really depends on if you can keep the bio load or will have to loose it with the move. Are you moving far or just down the street and can keep it all?

4. If you are moving really soon and debating on moving the fish over or not, why not just keep them in the tank they are in now? When you do your move, move all your filters over and substrate to keep the bioload there and you wouldn't have to worry about loosing anything more that way. It will also be a lot less stressful on the fish only moving once, instead of twice and a lot less prone to disease in bringing down their immune system from the move. Just a thought.