upgrading to a larger aquarium

grannyfish

I have a very successful heavily planted 10 gallon aquarium with a dozen neon tetras, cherry shrimp and several otos for about 8 months now and everything is doing very well, in fact the plants are almost doing too well by taking over the tank.

I want to move everything to a 20 gallon tank. I would like to know if there is a way to do this without having to go through the usual major break in period if I were to transfer the water, plants, filter and all to a larger tank. I suppose I would have to use some new substrate.

Can anyone tell me how to do this in the least disruptive way to my fish and shrimp?

JDM

If you have as many plants as it sounds like you can just start the new tank with new substrate fill with water, transfer your filter or put the new one on and all that. Get the plants moved then add the fish, there's no break in or cycle needed if you have lots of plants as they take up the ammonia without creating nitrites or nitrates.

Many, myself included, setup new planted aquariums in a day or two without cycling.

The tank does cycle but there are not the spikes normally associated a regular cycle.

Jeff.
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JDM

I looked at your profile tank. You've got a very nice looking tank and enough plants to do what I suggested. You will like the added space in the 20. If you are planning to add more fish I'd suggest waiting at least a month to let the tank get reasonably established.

Jeff.

MoneyMitch

+1