Process for converting a 30G to a 55G?

mrfryc said:

I was recently given several fish that a friend of a friend just didn't want. I dispersed them throughout my 3 tanks (currently two 30G and one 75G) and now I want to make one of my 30G a 55G. I see Petsmart is having a sale on 55G tanks and early next month I'd like to get one. I really am not 100% sure on how I'm going to make the transition, but here are my thoughts once I get the 55G:

1 - Place the two tanks side by side, it will be too heavy to move either tank with water. Also; possible to cause the one you try to move to collapse (the stands are not made to be moved like that) and transfer some of the water from the current 30G tank into the new 55G tank (similar to a water change) then add some tap water to the new tank, and let it sit for a while, normal acclimation cycle at this point.

2 -Over the period when the 55G is being acclimated, I'll slowly transfer the gravel from the 30G to the 55G, rinsing it off as I go.

3 -When it comes time to do the actual fish swap to the new tank I'm going to get the temp, PH and other readings as close together as I can, then I'm going to move the filter/heater/air supply, then decorations (currently two, a cave and a root structure)

4 - I figure I'll move the fish in order from largest to smallest, that way the larger guys introduction will not further stress out the smaller guys.

I've never done an operation like this before, so if anyone has suggestions I'd love to hear any input.

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1. get clean buckets that have not been used for soap.
2. set up the new tank where you will be keeping it (put the heater in - do not turn it on).
3. take out the gravel from the first tank (do NOT rinse with tap water - chlorine in that water will kill the good stuff on the gravel)
4. add it with tank water to the new tank.
5. While you are transferring things - if possible run the new filtration on the old tank. It adds beneficial stuff to the filters.
6. when everything is moved over - top it off with fresh water and add chemicals. After chemicals are in the water for a few minutes - then move the filter to the new tank. If the filter uses carbon - carbon will remove the chemicals.
7. After the heater has been in the new water about 1/2 hour (allow it to adjust to the ambient temp of the water) turn it on.
8. When water is to the right temp put fish in bucket with as little water as safely possible. Take air line and syphon water from new tank into bucket of fish. It acclimates them to temp and water parameters.
9. once they have been in the water for a while carefully add fish to the new tank. Try putting least aggressive fish in tank first. Most aggressive should be last one in.