Upgrading my 3 gallon to a 10 gallon

[kurtmussel]

Can I just take old media from my existing tank (a sponge from my filter, decor, and plants) and put it in the new tank and it’s ready to go? Do I need to do anything else before placing my betta and snail in the new tank? This seems way too easy

 

[MaloK]

Add as much as you can from the old tank, even the water and substrate. But cycling a 10 gallons with a betta and a couple snails can take a long time to start or can be completely transparent, if you are not giving too much nutrients.

As far as MTS goes, you probably already have other ideas for the old 3 gallons, so don't deplete it too much

 

[seangee]

In answer to your question ... YES.
But remember that today it can only cope with the current stocking level. If you want to add stock to the tank do it slowly, although I guess with a betta you probably won't be

 

[gwand]

I always test by adding ammonia at a concentration of 1 ppm and then make sure it gets metabolized into nitrate over 48 hours. Better safe than sorry. But still add livestock gradually.

 

[fishorama]

Yes, it can be very easy. If you use a lot of the old filter media, plants, decor & substrate. If you want a different substrate in the new tank, you can put some of the old tied in a piece of clean panty hose or similar tank safe mesh to help seed the new tank. You don't really need to use water from the old tank, the beneficial bacteria are on all surfaces, hardly any in the water. But I sometimes do a little so it "tastes like home", lol.

But still test for a bit after moving the betta to make sure there's no ammonia or nitrite. & be ready to do a big water change if tests show any of either. I use Prime as my dechlor, it can "bind" ammonia & nitrite in a safer form for approx. 48 hours.

I would move the betta first & feed lightly. The snails don't add a lot to the bioload, but "mystery snails" much more than say, a ramshorn.

Good luck!

 

[kurtmussel]

Add as much as you can from the old tank, even the water and substrate. But cycling a 10 gallons with a betta and a couple snails can take a long time to start or can be completely transparent, if you are not giving too much nutrients.

As far as MTS goes, you probably already have other ideas for the old 3 gallons, so don't deplete it too much

Thank you!

In answer to your question ... YES.
But remember that today it can only cope with the current stocking level. If you want to add stock to the tank do it slowly, although I guess with a betta you probably won't be

thank you also!

In answer to your question ... YES.
But remember that today it can only cope with the current stocking level. If you want to add stock to the tank do it slowly, although I guess with a betta you probably won't be

Yes, it can be very easy. If you use a lot of the old filter media, plants, decor & substrate. If you want a different substrate in the new tank, you can put some of the old tied in a piece of clean panty hose or similar tank safe mesh to help seed the new tank. You don't really need to use water from the old tank, the beneficial bacteria are on all surfaces, hardly any in the water. But I sometimes do a little so it "tastes like home", lol.

But still test for a bit after moving the betta to make sure there's no ammonia or nitrite. & be ready to do a big water change if tests show any of either. I use Prime as my dechlor, it can "bind" ammonia & nitrite in a safer form for approx. 48 hours.

I would move the betta first & feed lightly. The snails don't add a lot to the bioload, but "mystery snails" much more than say, a ramshorn.

Good luck!

This is helpful, thank you!