From Quarantine to Main Tank: Some Questions

[soul-hugger]

On January 16, I purchased two Schistura Loaches. They have been in a 10 Gallon quarantine since, and are thriving. They have had no health problems at all, and have not been treated with any medications. With their excellent health and level of activity, I did not see it being necessary, and hope to be able to move them very soon. The temperature in the quarantine is now at the same as the main tank, and I have been using identical water for the two, making the conditions exactly the same.

I was wondering how much longer they should be in quarantine, and if there are any special things I should know before moving them. I wondered with the schistura being slighty territorial if I should move the decor around in the main tank before adding them. They have been so healthy I would feel safe transferring the decor and driftwood they have become familiar with in the quarantine to the main tank, along with the filter, until I decide to use the quarantine again. I thought this would give them something familiar to help them feel at home, as well as creating an equal ground with the other fish. The residents in the main 55 gallon are
2 Adult Weather Loaches
1 Juvenile Weather Loach
3 Kuhli Loaches
3 Tetra
2 Golden Barbs
Plus plants and snails. All are very peaceful.

I'm going to be very interested to see how they will get along with my other loaches. I have some plans for the tank in the future, including changing the substrate, and adding a powerhead to create more of a river type tank. I also might be moving in the not too distant future, but I have learned in the past not to put everything on hold because of the move because it is like waiting and living in suspended animation. So I am going to go ahead with the plans on the tank anyway. But in the meantime, I wondered how I could make the move easier on all involved, including myself. I have never actually transferred fish from a quarantine before, except for one emergency transfer from a 1.5 Gallon tank because the nitrites had spiked. This was certainly not ideal, and this time I would like to take it slower and easier, because I don't want to take any chances on anyone getting sick. Any tips and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you
soul-hugger

[Diana]

Sound slike they are healthy and you have the tanks just about ready for the move. The Schisturas like more water movement than the other fish in the main tank. I would add that power head, then add the Schisturas. Good idea about moving their favorite rocks with them. I would spread these out in the main tank, near the best flow from the power head.

[Sixwing]

It may be helpful, before you move, to get a big, clean plastic container (Rubbermaid makes good ones.) I use the 20-gallon variety for temporary fish housing. It's opaque black, very strong, and has a lid. Usually I don't have that lid on, but if I need to, it's there.
I'll be moving across town in two weeks. The tank moving schedule looks like this:

This week:
Get all new hardscape ready to go. Presoak driftwood, make caves, etc.

This weekend, Feb. 21: Break down the display and quarantine tanks. Quarantine ends for peppered loaches (3 weeks for newest fish, 4.5 for the first) and everyone gets to meet for the first time in the neutral territory of the Rubbermaid.

Next week: Throw out nasty old gravel and clean tanks. Wash sand for reuse. Continue to presoak driftwood, etc.

Next Friday, Feb. 27: Move tanks and set up in the new place. Add new hardscape and new substrate. Let all settle.

Next weekend: Bag up all fish, drive them + filter to new place. Add inhabitants. Ta daa!

Future: Add more plants, add more fish, make more caves? Tune the tanks to the inhabitants' needs.

Hope that helps - that schedule breaks down the whole process to make it easier on me and the critters (they don't get their world reorganized twice in a day, for instance) and I get a major cleaning on the big tank, which needs it.

[Diana]

Sixwing, I would add some nitrifying bacteria to the new tank with that much change going on. Tetra Safe Start or Dr. Tim's One and Only have the correct species of bacteria.

[Sixwing]

That's a good point - hadn't thought of that!
Would recycling some mulm from my icky ugly gravel do the same? I can keep it in the same container as the fish. I'm going to Eco-Complete, which claims to have live bacteria, but am not sure how much I trust the advertising claims.

Sorry... slight thread-jack. 0_o

[soul-hugger]

Thanks for the replies..,

I think it's a good idea to install the powerhead before moving the Schistura, so I'm going to wait to get ahold of one. It might be better to wait on this until I move because it will be better to change the tank once than twice. When I move, I'll be able to start fresh and work out some design flaws from the last time. I will also be replacing the substrate.

The Schistura seem very happy in QT, as they have the whole tank to themselves, so I don't have to be in a hurry to move them. I have lots to think about and plan for these days and not enough money... A little unsettling...

Bye for Now..,
soul-hugger