Making the big move ?

[Dee]

Hi All,

Im about to move house and have decided to upgrade my tank to a 4x2x2 :D :) :D

What's the best way to transfer a established filter (eheim 2217) from one tank to the other ? how long can i turn the filter off for ,before i do any damage to the bio colony?

Regarding heating i currently have 2 x 200w tronic heaters, will that be enough heating for a 450L tank ? if not should i just add another 200w heater? making 3 in total.

I also want to get some peppermint pleco's and some cory's as a clean up crew. What kind of numbers do pleco's and cory's best live with discus ? any issues with discus temps ?

any more info or tips on transfering from one tank to the other would be most appreciated, thanks to all ... :D

[flukes]

With the filter, i just be keeping water in the actual canister. It only need water and it can survive for atleast a week. I think you might need another heater aswell.
With peppermints and corys (good choice) i would have say 3 pleco's and 2 corys, you would be suprised how much work 1 cory will do.

[Proteus]

in regards to maintaining the bio load in the filter, place it in a tub/bucket of tank water, and move it in that.

If you can get a tub/bucket big enough, whilst you are setting up the tank, run the filter in the tub so you should have no loss of good bacteria...

HTH

[Dee]

Hi Flukes and Proteus,

Thanks for the replys, doesnt sound like ill do too much damage transfering the filter between tanks ! :D :D :D

Hey flukes know of any good aquariums in melb to get the peppermint pleco's and cory's ??? also what type of cory's would you suggest ?

once again thanks for the reply's :)

Cheers

[flukes]

I have albino but i like all cory's wouldnt mind some panda or sterbia.
My peppermints i got for $20 each at the VCS auctions. But i know the cheapest LFS for pepps is Heinz for $38.
Other wise i can put you contact with someone who sells them, for about $25-$30

[Dee]

Hi Flukes,

Thanks for the info. I looked in the Yellow Pages, couldnt find Heinz LFS. The other thing i wanted to ask was ...... When i transfer the filter to the other tank, how long will the discus be ok without a filter on the tank they are currently in. They will be in the tank minus filter for around 5 - 6 hours max, i assume this is ok but thought id ask anyway.

Thanks Again :D

[flukes]

Hahahah thanks, Heinz isnt the shop name it is the name of the owner i think it is called "All aqaurium & Pet supplies" he is in Dunoon crt just of police road in mulgrave, just off the princess highway. I like too call him the fish natzi, he is sometimes rude but he knows his fish. His discus arnt the best but thats because he doesnt have a big demand for them so he doesnt spend the money for quality. There is a nice sunrise in there if you have a look.
You should be right with the filter for that time, i turned my filter off too do a water change and forgot too turn it back on, 2 days later i wondered why the water was so cloudy...opps

[Dee]

Hahaha ooops! :oops:

Ill give that a go hehe ...

Thanks for the info Flukes :)

[flukes]

Here are some people to contact for the pepps.

nick - mysammy - avit6410@bigpond.net.au Thomastown (has some currently)

Mysterious Redsuns (john) johnly81@hotmail.com - (Not sure if has some currently) Also has some 5cm Leopard Frog Plecos (peckoltia sp. 134) if he still has them, for $800 if your a catfiah lover...(i know iam) and wouldnt mind them either :cry:

There is another guy, but i cant find his email, ask MR (john) if he doesnt have any too put you in contact with boots'n'all or someone who does have some for sale atm.

[Dee]

Hey Flukes.

Thanks for all the contacts !! :) i will chase them up next week, after i have set up the 4x2x2 tank. Im thinking of stocking the tank as follows -

12 x Cardinals
12 x Rumy Nose
3 x Peppermint Pleco
3 x Panda or Spotted Cory
8 x Discus (Already have 4 Juvi)
Lightly Planted (Swords & Anubias)
3mm Gravel
Various Drift Wood

Basicly upscaling what i have now (200L 4ft) ... does that sound realistic, stock wise ?

Also wanted to ask, how good are peppermint pleco's at keeping a handle on algea ? I seem to be always battling algea (mainly on plants), i guess its due to the heavy feeding the little guys get.

Once again thanks for all the info Flukes !! :)

Cheers

[flukes]

Thats cool, seems when you dont want them they are everywhere and when you do they are no where too be found.
I also have another lady who basically has stock all the time, but i cant post her details so if your intrested pm or email me.
flukes@optusnet.com.au

Cheers
Scott