I just bought a new tank, stand and canopy - it won't arrive for another 6 weeks so I have plenty of time to figure this out. Since I have learned that planning is very important, I put together the following steps (along with equipment choices). I thought after all feedback is collected and the steps are adjusted accordingly; the results may make a nice article to post on the site for others who are upgrading a tank, and even for people who are setting up a tank from scratch. I have the steps numbered in the order I plan on doing them, have indicated (new) verses (old) to indicate which tank I'm working on and lastly have indicated >equipment choice.
Equipment used for move: two 5-gallon buckets w/lids; net, python-style syphon, and lots of towels:)
Fish: 2 young O's (about 4 inches); 1 full-grown clown pleco (3-4"); 1 lone SD (looking for a new home for him); 1 clown loach (about 4"); 1 young severum
New Fish: TBD - probably 1 or 2 more clown loaches (will wait for the new tank to stabilize first)
Steps 1-17 I can take my time; once I hit step 18 I need to work quickly. Thanks in advance for feedback, confirmation, thoughts.....
Task# / (new) vs (old) aquarium / Task Description
1. (new) Place new stand in desired location
2. (new) Place rubber tub in cabinet to place filter in (protects cabinet from splashes, small leaks)
3. (new) Run powerstrip(s)to inside of cabinet [one for lights, one for equipment]
4. (new) Check for level; adjust as needed
5. (new) Rinse out/clean new aquarium
> Seaclear Acrylic 135 (72" x 18" x 24")
6. (new) Place new aquarium on stand
7. (new) Check for level; adjust as needed
8. (new) Anchor bubble wall on aquarium floor
9. (new) Run airline tubing (with check valve) to cabinet
>Tetra Whisper Air Pump
10. (new) Setup powerhead
>Marineland Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump 900 [230 gph]
11. (new) Rinse new substrate until water runs clear, place in aquarium
12. (old) Siphon off 1 bucket of water (for rinsing purposes)
13. (old) Remove bogwood and rocks from old aquarium
14. (old) Rinse off bogwood in aquarium water to remove debris
15. (old) Siphon off 1 bucket of water (for fish)
16. (old) Place old heater in bucket
17. (old) Move fish to 5 gallon bucket
18. (old) turn off filter
>Eheim Pro III (2080) [for tanks up to 320 gallons; flow = 450gph]
19. (old) Siphon off as much remaining water as possible
20. (old) Remove old substrate, rince in aquarium water
21. (new) Add substrate from old aquarium
22. (new) Aquascaping: Add bogwood, rocks from old aquarium
23. (new) Fill tank with water (use as much remaining water from old aquarium as possible)
24. (new) Treat water (Seachem Prime)
25. (new) Check chemistry & temperature
26. (old) Remove hoses and tubes from filter
27. (old) Clean hoses and tubes
28. (old) Rince/clean filter as needed (use aquarium water); keep canister filled w/water
29. (old) Use silicone lube on gaskets
30. (new) Setup filter in new aquarium (run hoses, attach tubes)
31. (new) Setup in-line heater
> ETH In-Line Heater 300W
32. (new) Add StressZyme
33. (new) Once filter, heater and pumps are running, transfer fish
34. (new) Setup Lighting
>Lighting equipment TBD
35. (old) complete tear-down of old tank
36. Celebrate with a cocktail
