Upgrading To A Bigger Aquarium - Is This The Best Way.....

[fish+peace]

The plan:

i have bought a used vision 180 and would like to transfer my fish ( 4 skirted tetras, 10 neons and 2 corydora (sterbai) from a 96 litre fluval tank

Note

I will be moving over the existing fluval 206 external that i am already using, however i want sand in the new tank as oppose to gravel in the old one.

steps taken so far

washed out new tank with warm water + sponge
removed the juwel interior filter and disposed of ( in a bit of a mess)
new tank cleaned and ready to go

To Do

1. Wash and add aquarium grade sand into new aquarium, i don't use rooted plants so 1" rising slightly to back.
2. Add plants and mopani wood from old aquarium
3. fill with 3/4 treated tap water
4. add heater and bring water temp to 24dg
5. Swap over external filter
6. Top up water with old aquarium water
7. Add Fish

I am open to suggestions as would obviously like to do this with as little disruption/stress to the fish as possible -in fact i'm sure the cory's will be much happier with sand - also think i could do with a few more fish eventually.

 

[Zikofski]

aaw this sounds interesting cant w8 to see if when it is finished and some pics , the sand is a defiant yes especially the cory's in the bigger tank i would increase your cory size to at least 6 you can go with 8 or 10 if you can fund it ,

if you are trying to reduce the stress of the fish don't worry, the new tank they will love, you don't haft to use the same water, use new water if you want, as long as it is declored and warm but over all you plan sounds good

buy some fresh blood worms from the LFS to feed them with a few hours after they will thank you then haha

 

[Tuxyu3]

Sounds good, it would perhaps be a good idea to leave the tank running for 24hours or so if possible to ensure parameters are stable, you would not need a filter as long as there is some kind of flow (you could even just stir the water every few hours). Try to get the temperature as close as possible so the fish are not shocked.

I would also not recommend feeding them on the same day but instead let them just settle in and calm down.
Good luck, a tank move is always pretty daunting but it feels so good when you are finished.

 

[NickBFC]

Just a quick tip, unless you know 100% the new tank is water tight, it might be an idea to prefill it for 24-48 hours to test, I have just upsized and left the new tank in the garage for 3 days to make double sure it was water tight. Other than that the info above all seems good. Good luck with it

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Yep, all good except I'd try the tank out with water only before filling it with anything.