Upgrading Tank

[KeyLimePie]

I'm upgrading my 20 gallon to a 33 gallon - I'd go bigger, but the 33 is free and I haven't the cash for a 55. Anywhoooo - I am wondering the best way to go about this - does anyone have tips for maintaining the cycle / how best to handle fish during the change over, etc?

[Gambusia]

Until the cycle is finished keep your fish in the 20.

Add some established gravel or filter media from your 20 to your 33 to help speed the cycle.

HTH

[sublime1184]

There is a sticky right in this forum about cycling, and there are a bunch more, just search the forums. Acclimation (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51314&highlight=acclimate)

Use any media established with bacteria to speed up the process.

[mvigor]

If you ask me, you should just go buy a bit more gravel the same color as you're already using in the 20 gallon tank. Put the fish in buckets, move everything over to the 33 including much of the water, all the old gravel mixed in with the new gravel, the old filter, old decorations, everything, especially the gunk from the bottom.

There would be no cycle time. Your new tank would be cycled tonight.

Add on your additional or new filter(s) and run it/them together with the old one. Give it a week or two and then start taking away old stuff you don't want in the 33.

[Holly9937]

I just recently (successfully) switched over my 2 tanks (a 35g and a 50-ish gallon) to a 180 gallon. I filled up the 180 gallon with water of the same temp as the other 2 tanks, I added dechlorinator, and then moved over both of my filters from the other 2 tanks. I then scooped the fish out and added them to the new tank. My ph was the same too. I completely avoided a cycle ( I was super paranoid and tested every day for a while) I'm assuming it worked because the amount of fish did not change. I also moved the gravel over after I added the fish, I even hosed it off to give it a good cleaning. If you are worried about losing the bacteria from the gravel you could skip that part

OR

You can just set up the new tank, wait till it cycles and add fish then. I was too impatient :D