New Tank

[AnneMarie]

I apologise if this question has been asked before.

I just bought a 60gal tank for my three Clown Loaches. (I know they will out grow it and will get a bigger tank when that time comes ). How long should I wait before putting them in? Then tank is not done cycling yet, and I know that they prefer an established tank.

They are in a 20gal at the moment, and would like to get them into a bigger home as soon as posible. I was mis-informed as to the size that Clown loaches could reach.

Any advice would also be welcome.

The website that you people have put together is very informative and I spend way too much time reading when I should be working

[newshound]

I am not sure how you "cycle" your tank.
I'd take water out of your current tank and put it in the new one for a week or so and then change the loaches, water and filters over. Do not clean the filters!!!

[shari2]

Put the filter media sponge you plan to use on the 60 into the 20, either in the filter if it will fit, or somewhere in the tank. The bacteria will colonize it and when the time comes to move, you put the seeded media into the filter on the 60 and move the fish over. Make sure the water parameters are very close between the two tanks, temp, pH, etc.

I'd give it at least a week. Others may say more or have other ideas.

[Martin Thoene]

That should work nicely. What I would also do is take around 10 gallons out of the new tank just before you want to switch them over and transfer half of the 20's water into the new tank. THEN catch the fish. That way, 25% of the water will be what they're used to, and they'll be easier to catch in the 20 with reduced water level.
Catch them and place them in a bag and float it in the new tank and add bits of the new tank's water gradually. Then you can release them into their new home.
While you're waiting for them to get used to the new water being gradually added, you can top up the 20 again, effectively doing a 50% water change.

Martin.

[AnneMarie]

Thank you so much for the advice, I didn't know how big Clowns got when I bought them. I am lucky my husband is as nutts over these guys as I am.

[Emma Turner]

Hi AnneMarie,

After seeding the new tank with media from the established tank and before you move the clown loaches to this new home, do make sure that both ammonia and nitrIte tests are definitely coming out at zero. If you get any reading above this, you'll need to wait longer before adding them. Ideally they do not want to be the first fish added to a new tank as they are somewhat sensitive and prefer more mature systems. I do understand your urgency in wanting to move them to bigger quarters, however, and once you have done so, ensure that you are making regular partial water changes and testing the water to make sure that waste levels etc aren't creeping up. Keep a close eye out for whitespot too, as these fish are easily stressed (even by being moved), and it is best to catch this early.

Good luck,

Emma

[AnneMarie]

I followed the good advice I got last night when I got home. I have moved some old filter media to the new tank. I did not put it in the filter (I have a canister, pain in the butt to open) instead I put it in the tank. I tested the water my readings are as follows:

PH 7.2
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 1.0
Temp 80 degrees

I will test it again tonight when I get home from the salt mines.

On another note, my clowns are moving the furniture and plants around? Every morning they have moved something new. Is this normal or should I not leave the DIY channel on for them anymore?