Upgrading Tank

[Kevin8688]

I'm planning on upgrading to a bigger tank(55G), the problem is I never really have upgraded before and I'm not sure if there is a process I should follow to ensure my fish don't get to stressed and die because of any problem it might cause for whatever reason(if that makes any sense xD). I do have two 20G tanks was planning on just having a big tank instead of two. Will probably keep those two for any reason I might need.

I have a couple question on how I might do this, I'm going to set up the new tank in my new house(I'm moving) and my other two tank are at home and are currently housing fish. Would like some ideas on how to safely transport my fish.

Also, I'm really not sure how to upgrade the tank lol, Idk if I should use the current water I have in my two tanks to fill up the one I have now and use the old filter media from my current two tanks. Or just add total new water to the tank and put the old filter media. But I'm not sure if I'll need a mini cycle for that. Also, with all the stress I'll be having irl of moving my own stuff rather than the fish I'd like to find the most efficient way to do the move without causing my fish any stress.

I'm also planning on switching from my current substrate to sand. I'm not sure if doing all these changes to the tank could cause to much stress on the fish. The sand swap doesn't have to be that same moment I could wait a while for them to settle in but I just figured it might be much easier to do it all at once.

If you guys have any game plans to suggest I'd really appreciate it ! Thanks!(Also all the fish in my two tanks are compatible so none of them will go crazy and have WW3 on me xD.)

PS: I have around 3 weeks until I move so there isn't any rush might do the move a week before I move my own stuff if I'm able to.

 

[fluttermoth]

If you're moving house as well as fish, then that makes things easier. Set up your new tank, with sand (you might as well do it now rather than have to strip the tank down again later) and get everything running (heater, filter if you've got a new one). Make sure all the electrics work and that the water's dechlorinated and the right temp.

Then bag up your fish, not forgetting all their filter media in a separate bag, take them to the new house and acclimatise them as you would with new fish. Put all the filter media in the new filter, or get their old filters up and running before you're ready to release them.

Don't feed and test often for the next couple of days, in case of a mini-cycle. It's not worth taking any of your old water, unless you're moving far enough away that the tap water's going to very different. If that is the case, try and take at least half of the old water with you and top up with water from the new place over a couple of days.

 

[delta]

New house for you and new house for the fish eh

The main thing you need to keep is your filter media. Changing the substrate at the same time won't cause any more stress to the fish than if you did the move without the change of substrate, in fact, better to get it all done at once and save having to hoik the fish out a second time on only a few weeks. When I upgraded I ran the filter from my old tank alongside the new filter that came with the new tank but waited a week or so before adding extra fish. Are you having a new filter with your new tank because I also changed filters at the weekend from the two internals to an external and I merely took out all the media from the two old filters and put it in to the basket where the carbon would normally go in the new external and so far so good.

Hope this helps. as for actually moving the fish I think bagging them (you should be able to get fish bags from your LFS)and them placing them in to some kind of insulated boxes is what most people do I think, but maybe someone whose actually moved house with fish would be better to advise you.

 

[Kevin8688]

Thanks! I was thinking of probably setting up half water half new water. Also, I'm not sure if I could do this set up my two old filters along with my new one. So the new filter can start running and get the bacteria on it so its nice and ready for use. I was thinking of setting up one of my tanks as a fry tank because I have a couple little guys in a mash net and since I have the tank space after the move I was thinking of setting up there.

I'll keep an eye out for any cycles needed. Thanks again.

 

[Kevin8688]

Thanks that helps a lot I was wondering on doing that I'll probably do it :]!