Seeding a new tank

[mr limpet]

I have a 90gallon tank that’s been running for years. I want to set up a 55 gallon tank. I will fill tank up with tap water, use prime and get the temperature correct. Can I just take one of the AC110s off the 90 and put it on the 55. Will that be good enough beneficial bacteria to add fish right away or do I have to wait a while before I add fish.

[slicksta]

I wouldn't move the filter until you have fish. The filter needs to be fed.
I recently started a 150 by first adding fish and then bringing over a little media out of my 120 each day. Didn't have a ppm of Ammonia or Nitrite in the 150.

[brewmaster15]

Its going to depend on how much bacteria was on the sponge and how much waste will be in the new tank, but yes you should be ok. Just be sure to do good water changes on both tanks until the biofiltration catches up with the bioload.

Al

[slicksta]

Al makes a good point, be conscious of your bioload in each tank.
Are you leaving the 90 with just 1 - AC110?
Will you be adding any new filters?

[mr limpet]

The 90 gallon has 2 AC110s and a Fluval FX5 canister filter. Have 10 Discus and a few Rams in the tank. I would be taking 2 of the Discus that have paired up and put them in the 55 gallon. Was thinking of taking 1 of the AC 110s off the 90 and put it on the 55. Then take a spare AC110 I have with new media and put that on the 90. Can I add the pair of Discus right away then?

[slicksta]

I think your plan is a good one.
I know some might not agree, but if possible as a precaution I would fill the 55 with water from the 90.
Then you can move the pair and filter and they would be moving into a tank with the exact parameters as the one they are coming from.
Then fill the 90 as you would a water change.
And move some media from the establish filters to the new one... The long new filter will be up to speed much faster.

[mr limpet]

I always thought the beneficial bacteria is not in the water but in the filter media, gravel, drift wood?

[LizStreithorst]

I always thought the beneficial bacteria is not in the water but in the filter media, gravel, drift wood?

I think that Slisksta was referring more to water stability.

[slicksta]

It is.
But all stress with change, fish and bacteria.
Slight differences in pH, temp and so on may not necessarily be a problem, but if you can easily avoid it, why not.

[mr limpet]

Got it. Don’t want the pair to stress out. Don’t know how I can transfer the 55 gallons though. All I have is a python to change water.

[slicksta]

I've done it with a python. Just set one end high in the 90... then suck hard and place the other end low in the 55 :-D
Or...
Connect the output of the FX5 to the python and pump it over :-D
How far apart will the tanks be?

[mr limpet]

The tanks are probably 25 feet apart. The good thing is the 90 is upstairs and the 55 is downstairs in the basement.

[mr limpet]

I’ve used the FX output to drain my 90 before. Works fast. Only problem would be connecting python tube to the FX tube.

[mr limpet]

One more thing. Should I run the old filter with the good beneficial bacteria for a couple of hours before putting the fish in the tank?

[bluelagoon]

IMO,the old water isn't necessary.If you were changing enough water in the first place,in the 90,the all new water shouldn't be that great of a swing.