Moving fish

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Hi
dp has just gone out to collect a second hand tank from someone on a Facebook selling page, she's just removing her tropical fish and I have no idea how to go about putting our two goldfish in. The tank is 75x35cm and they're currently in a 21litre tank that I've been cycling with them in for the past 2 weeks (not fully cycled yet).
The new tank comes with a filter and will just need a stand.

1. how do I clean the tank without smashing it
   
2. how do I transfer the filter bits over? Currently a built in filter.
   
3. can I use any stand for the size of tank? No idea what make it is, the lid was smashed apparently so they made a new one.
   
4. will my goldfish be safe in a tank that's been holding tropical fish
   
   Possibly all silly questions but I'm rather fond of them now and don't want to kill them

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Got the tank and the smell has literally just started fading from the house
The person we collected from was taking her fish out before we left but left a large amount of black sludge at the bottom of the tank, given us a ton of stones we don't want and the 'lid' is a piece of cardboard Dp picked up so he wouldn't have known I wouldn't have bothered if I'd seen it.
The filter needs replacing completely and they were using normal household lightbulb so attached to a bit of metal as lighting
So... Before I change my mind on giving the fishy's extra space can someone make a list of what I should get?
It's a fluval tank and its 100litres. I've spent the evening cleaning it and it still stinks.
Stupid impulse buy

[TreeSparrow]

What are you cleaning it with? Don't use household detergents on fish tanks. Warm water and vinegar will do the trick. Soak overnight if necessary and use a non-scratch scourer to get the muck off it. Try not to scrub the seals too hard. Swill it really thoroughly with fresh, clean water before use.

For that size tank and goldfish (what kind of goldfish?) I'd go for an Eheim external filter. You'll need to get a filter that's rated for AT LEAST 200 litres. Always double up on ratings as a minimum. I triple filter my tanks.

You should be able to pick up a lid with light fittings from gumtree or eBay.

In terms of the cabinet, most household furniture is not suitable. Remember that 100 litres of water weighs 100kg so you need something built for the job really - unless you have a super solid table or sideboard.

When you fill the tank, substrate in first, then put a bowl on top of a plate on the substrate - pour the water into the bowl gently - this stops the substrate clouding up when you fill it. Fill with dechlorinated water. Move your filter over. Move your fish over.

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

I used washing up liquid
I don't plan on putting them in there now for a few weeks but have used buckets of water to clean it. We've put it on the sideboard for now but can't move it to the wet room to wash properly. I have no idea what I'm doing though. Have used vinegar now I think the washing up liquids gone but I can't move it to rinse.
I can't afford an external filter Planning on getting an internal one that does up to 130 litres then adding another if it doesn't work.
The stand is proving more difficult though. The £20 seemed like a bargain but I can't find a stand second hand that's big enough and after the past month of poorly fish and water testing kits I am skint.
The advert said it came with a lid, light and filter..they were being honest in some ways, what they didn't say was nothing is safe.
I have 1 black moore and one fantail goldfish. They're tiny at the minute but the 21 litre isn't big enough and I feel slightly cruel with them in there. They were bought as a gift by my friend who means well but thought they could live in a 14 litre tank...

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Just spun the tank round and it's a Juwel Rio 125.
The tanks 81cm by 36cm
The stand I've found is 80cm by 35 cm... If it won't fit il sell the tank and wait till something better comes along.
Why are fish so hard

[bellabelly]

Worth keeping an eye on this ebay listing here if you are anywhere near Hitchin?

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Unfortunately not 160 mile round trip.
I've put a bid in on one that says they will deliver but just looked at their eBay account and they have 97% positive reviews. The one review that's negative is for the same item around a month ago where the seller cancelled the sale for no reason and wouldn't communicate with the buyer so I'm guessing I won't get it even if I win.
Tempted to shove the tank on the floor and hope for the best.

[TreeSparrow]

Putting the tank on the floor will be a kinder temporary measure for those fish than leaving them in their small tank.

Search gumtree for local bargains. Check photos and don't buy if you spot anything worrying. External filters are cheaper second hand.

Or, rehome the goldfish and get a Siamese fighting fish and small heater instead. That will live in your small tank.

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

That tank stands on its way :) now to see if it actually turns up...
Next bits the lid. The Juwel website sells lid flaps, would it work to just buy them? Or could I cut some correx up temporarily?
I don't want spotty and dotty jumping out the tank.
The filter I've found is interpret p4 which I think does 200 litres so while they are tiny I'm hoping I can get away with one and then get another later on.
Do the fish need a light? I'm not paying £90 for the light hood but have found submersible lighting for around £12-15.

Sorry for all the questions

[TreeSparrow]

Goldfish don't need a light but your plants will if you have any. Juwel flaps fit around the light units on my tank so flaps by themselves might not work.

The filter should do for now if you do regular water changes. Put both old and new filters on the tank when you move them over to keep your cycle going. Once your tank is cycled you should rinse through the filter media once a week in a bucket of old tank water. Don't replace anything in the filters with new stuff.

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

I don't think the filter can be taken out of the old tank. It's a fish for friends filter but it's built in to the lid
Could I just move the bits from the filter in to the new one (net of charcoal, some white bead things, some black ball things and white filter material) and then just do extra water changes.
My family now think I'm mad and should just leave them to it in their little tank...

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

No live plants. I killed the last one in a week and apparently it was meant to be easy to look after

[TreeSparrow]

Ok make sure you move the old filter media into the new filter then (or you will lose your cycle).

Goldfish eat lots of plants. You could try anubia. They must not be buried but can grow tied to wood with cotton thread. Dead easy to grow, and they grow slowly.

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Not having much luck, tank stand has turned up and everything's perfect except the piece of wood that the tank actually stands on. One corner has a crack going through it and it is warped in the corner very slightly.
I plan on using a metal bracket to hold it up but is it going to be safe. I have opened a dispute on Amazon but as the box has never been opened I guess the seller won't have known.
I can go to b&q next week and get a new piece of wood the same size and make a new top but for now will it be okay? All other corners are fine.

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Panic over
eBay seller is sending out a replacement part from the other 2 they had left. Fallen off the back of a lorry perhaps?
But... For £85 I now have a jewel Rio 125 and new Juwel Rio tank stand so I shouldn't be complaining

[TreeSparrow]

Well done. I was going to say don't fix it yourself or a bad fit could result in uneven weight distribution and an unhappy accident later on.

That's a good deal you've had. :-)

[SnipSnapCrashCrack]

Turns out the seller hadn't dispatched the item and the parcel website says it was due to be dropped off by the seller but never was yet seller says it was picked up from their house
So... Waiting to hear what they have to say. They have just put the same stand back up on eBay for sale so they definitely still have one.
If it does fall through though there don't seem to be any other stands that will fit an 81x36cm tank. I have found an interpret 110 cabinet for £75 which says it does 80cmx35cm. Would it be okay?