Question about converting a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon...?

Question

Right now I have a 10 gallon with 1 betta, 3 cory cats, and 5 neon tetras. Also have a heater, thermometer, filter, and air stone. Ornaments include: fake rock setup, 3 fake plants, and some gravel.

If I were to get a 20 gallon, what would I need to do in order to safely house my fish from the 10 gallon? I'll definately need more gravel and water. I know I shouldn't just dump my old gravel and water in and then put new gravel and water in because it would have to cycle first. What are your suggestions? What other aquatic animals could I add? Plants? Thanks to all that answer!

Answer 1

I've done this sort of thing several times, with good success. What worked for me was to do exactly what you said, transfer all the water and gravel from the 10 gal to the 20, then add 10 more gallons. Make sure to continue to use the old 10 gal filter on your new set up for a few weeks, but use the new filter at the same time. Keep the old gravel if possible and use all that too. You don't have very many fish, so I don't see the bio-load being that big of a deal. The water will be cloudy at first from all the gravel, but it should be clear by the next day. You should go light on the food for the first couple of days too, or just skip it all together. Test for ammonia after 3-5 days and you should be in good shape. I have never had issues with new tank syndrome using this method, and I have kept my fair share of tanks. As far as what to add: you could go with live plants. Try anubius, it is a little pricy, but nearly impossible to kill, and will attach itself to driftwood, giving itself a very cool appearance. Also, it grows in low light and fish don't like to eat it. You could add a few small loaches, like Yo-Yo's, Striated or the Angelicus. Livebearers are colorful and cheap, and would mix nicely, especially the smaller variety. Have you seen the Galaxy Rasboras? They are being reclassified as danios or something, but are really cool and stay the size of your neons. There are tons of combinations, these are just a few off the top of my head.

Answer 2

First, when you migrate the tank contents over, it's probably still going to cycle on you again because that's a big change. It's like doing a 50% water change. So don't add too much too soon, however you go about the move. Adding some beneficial bacteria like Bio Spira, would help, but is no guarantee. Live plants definitely help but most require really good lighting, so also be mindful of that before planting.
If you don't move the gravel, you're carrying less beneficial bacteria over. But if you do, it's going to create quite a mess of course, so you might want to temporarily house your fish elsewhere while you do it.

Answer 3

If you move your filter your tank won't have to cycle or at least not a full cycle that is where most of the beneficial bacteria is housed.If you need a bigger filter on your new tank just run them both at the same time for a month or two.You should also move all your gravel and decorations and as much water as you can as as the bacteria grows on the stuff in your tank too.

Answer 4

You don't need to re-cycle if you add all the same gravel and water and then add the new gravel and new water. Just get some more plants, a couple more rocks, and add 5 Neons.

Answer 5

i might advise to take the hornwort out and upload fertilizer consisting of FloraPride to hlp the different plant life strengthen. you need to exchange the hornwort for a pretend hornwort plant. confident, a ten gallon may well be a saltwater tank. stay rock will carry micro organism and different organisms that help interior the nitrogen cycle. the sole pretend plant life you need to apply in there are pretend saltwater plant life. pretend freshwater plant life does no longer seem that sturdy in a saltwater tank. ~ZTM