Ok so i got a 10 gallon and want to change out to a 20 gallon i just got. Thisis my thought process on tranferring everythnig without harming the fish or cycle the tank has already gone thru
1. I have (will be getting) a 5 gallon bucket and fill that bucket with 5 gallons of the current tank water
2. Remove the fish from the 10 gallon and place them in the 10 gallon.
3. Add an air stone and pump to the bucket to have aeration and oxygenated water.
4. Remove all decoration and place them in another bucket with the rest of the tank water.
remove live plants as well and place them in decoration bucket.
5. remove gravel from 10 gallon and place into 20 gallon along with addition gravel to accomodate the larger tank.
6. add 10 gallons of new water to the 20 gallon
7. install decorations, plants, heater, filter and all other items minus the fish.
8. Wait til water becomes 78 degrees which is what they have it at now
9. delicately place all fish into new 20 gallon.
10. add the 10 gallons of old (current) water to the 20 to have 20 filles completely.

I will not be cleaning any rocks, filter, media or anything to keep any and all bacteria and such alive even any algea ( i can clean that later)

Reading other sites they say add completely new water..... should i do that or use the current water i have to make it to the fish like it is a PWC? I will not add any fish or anything for at least a week.

Ohalso was curious on the heater. I have currently a aqueon 50 watt heater that states it is good up to 20 gallons but states on the back will up the temp of the tank 5 degrees above room temp. My room temp in the winter is 65-67 so 5 degrees would only be 72 degrees. This would be 6-7 degrees cooler than what the tank heats at now. My question is would the 50 watt be sufficient for the 20 or would adding another 50 watt heater to the 20 be in order?

Also for lighting. I have right now 2 15 watt cfls. so 3 watts per gallon. I will upgrade my lighting to 2 26 watt cfl's and have 2.6 watts per gallon. Will the plants notice a .4 difference. If so do they make say 30 or more watt cfl's? I do run DIY co2 and osmocote ferts in the gravel.

If there is anything in my process or anything that anyone would change, add, or not do please leave any and all advice. I want this change to be easy but most of all safe for the fish...

Thanks

I was told by many people on this site that I didn't have to add any old water to my new 10g when I switched to the new 20g. If you do add some old water, it won't hurt anything, but it's not necessary.

What type of filter to you have? (Just wondering because you are using the same filter that you used on the 10g.) It's always good to have a filter that is rated for a tank that is larger than what you have. Ex: 20g tank, put a filter for a 30g tank on it. If you need a bigger filter, try to run the old one along side the new one until the new filter has cycled. Or, put all the old filter media in the new filter (along with the new filter media) to help cycle it.

As long as you are using all the gravel from the 10g and the old filter too, your tank shouldn't re-cycle. (Keep all decorations, gravel and filter media wet during the move, as the good bacteria will die if it dries out.)

When you do start adding fish, do it slowly - 1 or 2 fish every 2 weeks or so. Test the water to make sure ammonia and nitrites are always 0ppm before you add new fish.

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The filter is a penguin 330. I think that is the same as the newer penguin 350. The 350 says up to 75 gallon. I had the 330 on my older 29 gallon years ago.

Ok so i think this is do-able just never had to switch while fish where in involved. Plus i have to move all my co2 bottles and stuff and the table the 10 is on is going for a better sturdier table. Good to know on keeping it a wet as they will die, i was wondering on that.
On the heater would you think the 50 watt is ok for a 20 gallon or not enough.

Also curious. After the change.. how long should i wait to test the water with the master kit so i get a correct reading of where the tank is in terms of amm,trates,trites and such... a day, 2, couple hours?

Also is the bubble stone a good idea while the fish are waiting to be re-homed?
thanks Holly

I'd test the same day, and for a week or two afterwards.

Not sure on the bubble stone... I'd think it would be a good idea, but then I thought I read something about too much air when acclimatizing fish is deadly, so not sure if that would be the same as too much air with fish in a bucket.... someone else may want to clarify that one.

No problem. Glad to help! :D

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Also wondering..
Can i house all the fish in the same 5 gallon bucket. I have 10 fish. 7 adults adn 3 babies that are in a guppy breeder that sits in the 10 gallon.
Lee's Multi-Purpose 3-Way Breeders at PETCO

Also what is the least stressful way to get the fish in the bucket? Using a fish net or getting them in a big bowl?

Don't let your filter dry out, and make sure you dechlorinate your water before turning on the filter.

You should also get a larger heater because the one you have won't keep the heat stable with that low of temps in the room.

Use totally new water, you can also warm the water up by either heating some of it, or use correct temp tap water. That way you can put the fish right in after setting it up.

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220 Tank build
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What you have listed is actually pretty good.

And, to be honest, you can also eliminate a couple steps depending on the setup and location. Is the 20g going in the same place?

yea, thats my only deilemna somewhat. After moving all media and stuff then i need to move in new furniture and such, relevel and just keep the fish out of their home longer than i want to.
Susan, would buyingh another 50 watt mike i have to make a total of 100 watts be ok for the 20 gall?

Ok so i bet im getting a little nip picky now but 2 more questions.
1. Should i feed them before or after the change
2. Is there a best/better time to do the change.. morning/midday/night?

I wouldn't bother feeding the day of the move. As for the best time; whenever you are ready. ;o)

You won't need a bubbler. If your changeover is going to take more than a day, maybe it would be better, but even then should not be required. Fish get shipped in little bags and have no problem. Won't hurt anything to do it though.

You can use 2 50 watt heaters, It would also give you a backup in case one quit working they would still have some heat.

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SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Ok so i did the change over last night. Started around 630 and ended around 1030. All went off without a hitch. This morning water is nice and clear and these are my reading today about 12 hours after the switch

Amm-0
Nitrate-5
Nitrite-0
ph-6.2
temp-78-79