xoedusk
Fishaholic
The 10 gallon tank was heated (heater capacity up to 15 gallons) and filtered (filter capacity up to 20 gallons). We started out by cleaning out the new 20 gallon long (12" x 12.5" x 30" about) in our bathtup with a sponge very well. After that we put the empty tank in its new home on top of our sturdy dresser.
Filled it with some recently rinsed round gravel and make it slope downward toward the front for easy future cleanings. Took all the decorations out of the 10 gallon and set them up in the new tank. Then proceeded to fill up the tank, gallon by gallon, with fresh dechlorinated tap water.
Turned off the filter in the 10-gallon, took the Bio-Max pellets out of it, and placed them directly in the new tank's water to save the bacteria. Turned the new heater (max capacity 30 gallons) on and matched the 10 gallon's temperature. Measured pH of both tanks to make sure they matched. Also measured ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels (all were 0) for future reference. Moved the filter from the 10 gallon to the new 20 gallon and replaced the Bio-Max and plugged it in.
Moved our fishies one by one in to the new 20 gallon tank. Then took a few handfuls of the 10 gallon's gravel and put them in the new tank's. Then called it done. All fishies were scared to hell, but now (2 days later) they seem to like it. Measured the tank's stats again today too. Ammonia and nitrites were 0, nitrates were 5.0.
Please tell me what you thought of our process. I am posting this here so others can have some idea of what to do and what not to do.
Filled it with some recently rinsed round gravel and make it slope downward toward the front for easy future cleanings. Took all the decorations out of the 10 gallon and set them up in the new tank. Then proceeded to fill up the tank, gallon by gallon, with fresh dechlorinated tap water.
Turned off the filter in the 10-gallon, took the Bio-Max pellets out of it, and placed them directly in the new tank's water to save the bacteria. Turned the new heater (max capacity 30 gallons) on and matched the 10 gallon's temperature. Measured pH of both tanks to make sure they matched. Also measured ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels (all were 0) for future reference. Moved the filter from the 10 gallon to the new 20 gallon and replaced the Bio-Max and plugged it in.
Moved our fishies one by one in to the new 20 gallon tank. Then took a few handfuls of the 10 gallon's gravel and put them in the new tank's. Then called it done. All fishies were scared to hell, but now (2 days later) they seem to like it. Measured the tank's stats again today too. Ammonia and nitrites were 0, nitrates were 5.0.
Please tell me what you thought of our process. I am posting this here so others can have some idea of what to do and what not to do.
