Upgrading newly cycled tank

ardiej

AC Members
Feb 16, 2009
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First of all I like to say Hi, am a newbie to this forum and fish. I currently have a 20 g reg. tank that has 3 giant danios (both recommended by my LFS). live and fake plants, HOB filter (AquaClear) and gravel substrate. My tests results (using API Master Tests) have been for the last 5 days, A=0, NI=0, NA= 10 . I have an opportunity to get a new 20L free and know it would be better for my danios. I assume this would be a good time to make the change, before I introduce any new fish, but my question is how do I go about it? I will be using my existing filter and stand since they both will handle the 20 L. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I think 20 L is 20 gallon Long - versus 20 gal regular.
When I upgraded I just took the fish out of the old tank and put them in a plastic bucket, moved everything to the new tank (well, only about 25% of the water, but everything else), added the fish to the new tank - all done. If you use all of the substrate, filter media and other stuff that the bacteria is on, your new tank does not have to cycle, because it's more like you're doing a water change, not setting up a new tank.
 
Thanks, That sounds goods, but I will be using the same stand for the new tank. My problem is is moving the old tank (with the water in it) from the stand. If I remove most of the water from the old tank so it is easier to move, will that disrupt the cycling?
 
Oops sorry Leeser, I just reread your reply and noticed you recommended moving over only 25% of the water to the new tank, so If I remove 75% of the water I should be able to move the tank. Thanks again.
 
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