upgrading from 10gallon to 26gallon

Zman11683

Im planing to upgrade my tank i was wondering what is the safe way to do it or should i start from scratch. plus i wondering about filtration should i use a canister or power filter for my new 26 gallon tank.

Nubster

Are you reusing the stuff from the old tank? If so, I'd just move it all over to the new tank, add whatever you need to fill the new tank, and make sure to continue using the old filter or at least place the filter media into the new filter so it seeds the new media with bacteria.

If you are starting with all new stuff...just set the tank up and still use the old filter/media until the new is seeded.

Zman11683

im planing to use the old stuff. but i trying to make this quick and easy bc my room is not big enough to hold two tanks and i dont want wait from my new tank to set up with all the old stuff in my old tank

Nubster

As long as you use the old filter media you should be fine. It will be more water but the same bioload as long as you don't add a bunch of new fish all at once. Just add slowly as you would normally to allow the bacteria to build up.

Byron

Are you using the existing substrate, with more added? Or new?

Byron.

Zman11683

I want to intergrade new gravel but I don't know what should I do. I thought putting half of my old gravel at the bottom then mix in the new. Or should I do something different.
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Byron

If the gravel is the same type/colour, you can mix it; mixing different types/colours usually does not look good. But before you do, consider if you might want to change the gravel type, as it is easier to do it now than later. I don't know what you have, but the type of substrate (gravel size, sand or gravel, and even colour) can affect certain fish, and live plants require smaller grain substrates so this would affect the type.

When you answer on the above, perhaps you could also indicate the type of fish. Your question on the type of filter depends upon fish species (and live plants).

Carefully planning a new tank will make the transition much easier for the fish--and you--plus you will have an aquarium you really like in the end.

Zman11683

this is my tank i want to change the gravel to black
Fish: 2 knifes(black,brown) 1 Plecostomus

*how to change filters*
i have a power filter but i dont like it hanging on my tank bc i rarely clean the hood and filter housing. how do i go about changing to a canister filter should i let my existing filter run with the new filter and how long should i run i t

Byron

The photo didn't get through, but no matter. As you are changing colour, go with totally new gravel, in a very fine black or a black sand.

For filters, a simple sponge filter is adequate. You can get the small internal filters that are a sponge and a motor head. Or an air pump connected to a normal sponge filter. The latter might be noisy, a concern if the tank is in a bedroom.

Knifefish do not appreciate a lot of water movement, and they must have a dimly-lit tank. Floating plants are ideal to acheive this. And you do realize that knife fish get very large, and will need at least a 4-foot tank very soon? And then a tank that is not only 4+ feet long but 2+ feeet wide? The Black Ghost Knifefish attains 20-24 inches and being stiff bodied must have a tank wide enough to allow it to turn around.

Your pleco if it is a Common Pleco will also attain up to 18 inches and need a 4-foot tank.

Zman11683

I'm planning to change fish to something small like mollys or glow fish but i had the brown knife since I started my 10gallon last year it's the same size when I got him but he got thicker my blk I got him just this summer but I haven't seem to see any size change
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