Downgrading a tank

[HermyFish023]

I currently have a 29-gallon freshwater community tank that I have had set up since 2019, and for a while, I have been thinking about downgrading my tank to a 20-gallon long. I want to do this because I plan to move out of my house not soon but in the near future, and I would like to have a smaller tank whenever I do. I also had a problem about a week ago where my heater decided that it wanted to die on me and caused many of the fish I had in my tank to die. I took this as a sign that I should look into downgrading my tank now that I have fewer fish and to look for a new heater. Currently, I have 1 panda corydora, 1 flame tail tera, 3 harlequin rasbora, 3 emerald eye tertra, and two green neon tetra. Now, I have a few questions about downgrading a fish tank. One, is it an okay thing to do, or would it be cruel to my fish? My panda stays on the bottom of the tank, and a 20-long would have the same length, so I dont think it would bother her. My real concern is whether or not it would be ok for my other fish. Second, how would I go about actually switching the tanks? My current Idea is to set up and cycle the new tank on a table next to my fish stand. Then, once it is cycled, I will empty the water and fish from the 29-gallon tank into buckets and an isolation tank, respectively, and take the 29-gallon off the tank stand. Then, I will empty the water from the 20-gallon tank into buckets, move it onto the stand, and then fill it back up. I know this plan would be difficult but it was the only thing I could think of, so if anyone has any ideas of how I should do this, I would appreciate your input.

 

[Byron]

First, I do not think this is wise. After all, a 20g long has the same footprint as the 29g (30 inch length presumably) so there really is no value.

The fish however...these fish are shoaling and they need more of their own species. Fish deprived of a decent-sized group do have serious stress issues, and they may turn to nipping, or become withdrawn. In the best interests of your fish, you need to remove some of the single fish, and increase the others.

Welcome to TFF.

 

[HermyFish023]

Thank you for the feedback. I was thinking maybe since the 20-long tank would be lighter and not hold as much, it would be easier to move, but I understand what you are saying about it being pointless. As for my fish, I am planning on going to my LFS to restock my fish and reform their schools. I just wanted to see if the downgrade was a good idea or not before buying more fish so I know how many I should get.

 

[Byron]

For most of the tetras and rasbora the number should be around 10 (or more, the Green Neon is one that like more, it is a delicate fish). The Cories I would go with 10-12.