Upgrading To A Bigger Tank

[jas814]

I would like to upgrade from a 5 gallon tank to a 10 gallon tank. I want to use all new gravel, plants and ornaments. I would like to keep my existing filter and use it on the 10 gallon tank because it's good for up to 20 gallons. If I change everything but the filter, am I going to have to cycle the new tank before I put my fish into their new tank? I have 2 Glofish and 2 Guppies. I would like to add a few more fish in the future. What would be the best way of doing this without harming my fish?

 

[Gvilleguy]

The filter is the heart of your system, so as long as you are planning to move that to the new tank, you should be good to go. Will the 10 gallon tank come with its own filter? If so, I would recommend that you set up everything in the new tank, with dechlorinated water and the new filter, and let the tank run for a few days to get everything settled in. If it's a factory new tank, sometimes the water will cloud up for a few days. So this way you get all the kinks worked out.

Once the tank seems good and settled, then you would move the filter over with your fish. Make sure the temperature is pretty close between the tanks, and also the pH (if you have a test kit). If not then you would need to acclimate them to the new water before netting them in.

And if you don't have a second filter, I would still set everything up except the filter, and let it settle and see if you get clouded up.

 

[jas814]

The filter is the heart of your system, so as long as you are planning to move that to the new tank, you should be good to go. Will the 10 gallon tank come with its own filter? If so, I would recommend that you set up everything in the new tank, with dechlorinated water and the new filter, and let the tank run for a few days to get everything settled in. If it's a factory new tank, sometimes the water will cloud up for a few days. So this way you get all the kinks worked out.

Once the tank seems good and settled, then you would move the filter over with your fish. Make sure the temperature is pretty close between the tanks, and also the pH (if you have a test kit). If not then you would need to acclimate them to the new water before netting them in.

And if you don't have a second filter, I would still set everything up except the filter, and let it settle and see if you get clouded up.

I don't have a second filter and the new tank didn't come with one. I have read that some people say that you could use the some of the water from the existing tank and put it in to the new tank. Is that a good idea?

 

[Ruthc1985]

I'd use all of the old water to be honest, and just top it up with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Yes, you can definitely use the old tank water - it's fine. I was trying to help you avoid the water clouding up from a new tank, but that does not always happen. You could still put in the gravel with new water and let it sit for a day and see what it does before emptying it for the old tank water.

 

[jas814]

Yes, you can definitely use the old tank water - it's fine. I was trying to help you avoid the water clouding up from a new tank, but that does not always happen. You could still put in the gravel with new water and let it sit for a day and see what it does before emptying it for the old tank water.

Ok. Thank you for your help.

 

[jas814]

I'd use all of the old water to be honest, and just top it up with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.

Ok. Thank you for your help.