Keeping an empty aquarium running

[Hobbiest]

Just a quick question. I have 3 tanks going in an apartment. A 90, a 40 breeder and a 10. Today I am condensing the 40 into the the 90 which will leave the 40 without fish. The 40 has two heaters, an Aquaclear 70 and a light. What's my play? Do I take the 40 down to save on electricity? Or do I leave it up because it is cycled and who knows when I might need it? I guess this is a cost analysis question.

[jred]

I would say it really depends on whether you anticipate buying more fish soon - if you are going to the auction on Saturday I would say leave it up. If you are holding out for the Holy Grail of fish then I would probably take it down. Also if you don't have fish in the tank to feed the nitrogen cycle eventually the beneficial bacteria will die off and you will be starting over anyway. Another option would be to throw the HOB on the 90 gallon to keep the bacteria going then shut down the 40 (at least that way you save on the heaters not running and don't pay for water). I have been grilled many times about the cost of aquariums and normally its only a couple bucks in electricity providing you keep your home at a reasonable temperature (heaters are the electricity hogs). Sorry for rambling, hopefully it helped a bit. Cheers

[Regalblue]

Add a large sponge to the tank with fish,  take down the empty tank & then you'll have a seeded sponge ready to establish it when you're ready.

[Ron]

IMO - keep it running until the MCA auction. If you somehow don't purchase anything to go in it, then move the filter to the running tank and drain it. Then setting it back up is as easy as filling it, plugging in the heater, and moving the filter back.

[GrizzlysDad]

IMO - keep it running until the MCA auction. If you somehow don't purchase anything to go in it, then move the filter to the running tank and drain it. Then setting it back up is as easy as filling it, plugging in the heater, and moving the filter back.

Add a large sponge to the tank with fish,  take down the empty tank & then you'll have a seeded sponge ready to establish it when you're ready.

The cycle will be fine until this weekend so.....The combination of what Ron and Blair said would be my suggestion too.

[Hobbiest]

Thanks for all of the input. I will probably put the sponge in 90's wet dry, unplug the heaters and leave the Aquaclear running as it does not fit on the 90.