bad news today

[jhayes6405]

Well my shellie tank sprang a leak today

Its an Oceanic tank, so I am a bit surprised as I thought they were of the highest quality. I got it from a friend so I don't know how old it is, maybe that is why.

So now every fish I own is crowded in my 55!

So I had been kinda looking around for a 125, then this happened. I found a 125 with stand and canopy for 300 on CL. I wanted one anyway, but this has kinda forced my hand.

Only thing is, the setup needs a little cleaning and polishing. I am wondering if all my fish will survive in the 55 while i get the 125 up and running.
Currently in the 55 as of today;
1- 3" Kavalla Frontosa
1- 3" Juli Ornatus
1- 2" Juli Ornatus
3- 1.5" Caudopunct
1- 2" NeoLamp Ornatipinnis
2- small Calvus
2- 2" Orange Comps
5- 1.25" Ocellatus Gold
3- young Cyp. Leptosoma Kitumba
1- 4" Common pleco
1- 2" Albino BN pleco
1- 2"BN pleco
2- 2" Syn. Eupterus
1- 2.5" Clown Loach
and finally
7 Neon Tetras

Do you think all this can live in my 55 while I get the new 125 up and running? It has an Eheim 2213 and Rena Xp2 running on it.
Sad thing is, I wanted to take my time on the 125 and really do it right, now I am feeling a bit rushed.

Any thoughts on filtration for the 125? I was thinking the Fluval Fx5. Also, I want a nice 3d background, but dont want to pay $300+, and Im not intelligent enough to do one of those DIY styrofoam/concrete backgrounds. Anyone have ideas for all this out there?

[jhayes6405]

Also, John, when all this is done and handled, I'd like to place an order with you. I need to make up for the last failed one!

I was thinking a Goby or two, 3 or 4 caudopunct, some Leleupi, and an eel. Would that work with the current stock list in the 125?
The Occelatus would go to a 20 gal.

[angel]

I would think that bioload-wise you could keep a lot more fish in a tank than what is normally safe, with extra water changes and enough structure. But the neons I'd worry about getting to be snacks.

[sirknight]

If I were you I would get the 125 up and running very fast.(with a few days). That is a major bio-load for a 55 and the aggression that can take place within a small space.

To speed up or should I say minimize the cycling process on the 125, use the filters, etc including a good portion of the from the 55 and add a bigger filter. Let the new filter run with the others for 2 weeks then remove one filter at a time until you are using the just the FX5.

I would not take my time setting up the 125.

Joe

[jhayes6405]

joe/angel,
Thanks, for the input. I know I need to get on the ball with the 125. The neons were once bought as dither until I got some cyps. I'm not too worried if they vanish. I guess I could add a background at a later date.........don't want to...........not too sure what to do.

[angel]

Well when you wondered if it could work for a while my while was a few days. As opposed to within an hour. But that's how we women are anyway--now is just too slow!

[jhayes6405]

Funny, I actually meant a couple weeks. I just dont have the resources to move fish around like that. I have found a background on ebay I think I will get. Unfortunately I am in the army. Equally as unfortunate, I am in a course where I really can't go home for another 2 weeks. I guess I will just have to hope for the best and see who survives. I hate this!!!!

[jon carman]

All you can do is lightly feed, ad up the water changes.

[jhayes6405]

Lightly feed? My thought process was to feed pretty well so there wouldn't be angry fish from barely eating. I guess I thought that would cause more aggresion.

[jon carman]

For that I would add more rock. You might lose a couple from aggression, but you could lose all from a spike in nitrates. Another thing to worry about is oxygen levels. Make sure you have plenty of circulation.

[jhayes6405]

Luckily I think I will be ok in the filtration and water movement area.
I have an XP2 and Eheim running on it, as well as 2 of the hydor koralias moving the water around. On the filters, I don't use the spray bars. I just have them spraying right out the tube for max water movement.

[jon carman]

I am a huge fan of the koralias. They can really move some water. I would just double the water changes. You should be able to tell just by looking at them if they need it.