Help In Moving Cichlids To Larger Tank

[Colleen613]

I currently have 3 chichlids in a 10 gallon tank and was recently given a 30 gallon tank which I want to move them into. My questions are: 1) Because of a space issue, I want to put the new tank where the current one is. How do I go about doing this? 2) How much of the old water should I put into the new tank? 3)How long should the new tank cycle before adding the fish? 3) Right now I have gravel in the tank. Should I stick with the gravel or switch to sand? I am a loss as you can see. I have grown attached to these fish and want to do right by them. I have had my current tank for a year but I'm still a new mom to cichlids so any suggestions you can give me would be most appreciated! Thank you in advance.

 

[tetraqueen]

Can you use the same filter ?

Its the filter that requires cycling but it is a good idea to use you old water then top up.

I would start by cycling the new tanks filter first then I know it will be difficult.

May I suggest that you add it to your original tank to get the bacteria in straight away. Perhaps for a week then fill your new tank and check over a few days then if reading are fine.

I managed to do this with mine. The other option is to move half the filter media of the old tank and do water changes if reading are badIts the risk you take. I lost one fish a barb that unfortunately had jumped the bucket.

It will be worth it. Look how much more space will help the fish.