upgrading tank size...

[tbarblover]

what is the best way to move from one tank to a bigger one? should i use the water from the smaller tank to help with cycling?

[Warmaster259]

The water wont matter, what you need is filter material from the established tank. Good Luck

[SnakeIce]

All the decorations and gravel from the smaller tank should be moved to the larger one keeping them wet during the transfer. the bacteria that make your tank cycled live on the surfaces in your tank. the filter will have the largest concentration so just move it over to the new tank.

you will want to be sure you use a declorinator so you arn't killing the bacteria you are trying to transfer. I would use the water in the small tank to gravel vac the tank with so you arn't moveing as much gunk. that way when you move the gravel over it won't make as big a mess. A little mess is ok and will help your larger tank get established.

If you are planning to use a larger filter on the bigger tank I would use both that one and the one from the small filter for a couple weeks till the new filter gets seeded with bacteria.

As long as you have been doing waterchanges regularly the new water will be cleaner and like the water in the small tank. just move as much water as you need to keep things wet from the smaller tank.

[Harry Tolen]

Using the water from the smaller tank won't hurt, either. It will help prevent shock from changing water conditions.

But as has been noted above, the gravel, filter, rocks, etc. are the most important parts of the transfer.

My system involves removing all fish and most of the water to 15 gal. Rubbermaid containers, keeping the filter(s) running hanging on the sides of the container(s) (they are rectangular) during the transfer.

Then I move the gravel from the smaller to the larger tank, along with what's left of the water and some new (conditioned) water and gravel. Let that settle for an hour or so, and then gently add the water, filter(s), and, finally, the fish from the Rubbermaid containers(s).

Good luck.

[tbarblover]

the filter is no problem, but what if i plan on changing my substrate?

[AlbinosRule]

Put as much of your old substrate in a media bag, Or panty hose tie it up and just set it in the new tank. When it's been in there for about 2 weeks or so, or when water parameters are normal just take it out.