MaddieLynn

Today, I'll probably be setting up my new 20 gallon and moving my mollies into it. I want to transfer the bacteria from the current 10 gallon to the new tank and avoid new tank syndrome. What would be the ebst way to do this? If I rinse the gravel, will it kill the bacteria? I want to be able to rinse off the poop & food scraps. Also, should I run the new filter and the old one together for a few weeks to help with the bacteria? I've never transferred bacteria before, so I'm not sure.

agabr123

dont rinse the gravel, just try to get as much of the waste out as you can with a gravel vacuum today, and then just put the gravel in, same with your plants and decor. take ALL of your filter media in your 10 gallon and put it in the 20's filter, you could run them both together, but I don't know how well the fish you have handle a very high amount of water disturbance. honestly, most of the gunk will probably stay in the 10 gallon when you remove the gravel, just use a fish net to take it out, that's what i do. but be sure to rinse the fish net after you use it!

your fish are cute

MaddieLynn

What exactly does "filter media" mean? If it means the filter pad/sponge type thing, will it fit from this filter into the new one?

MaddieLynn

Wow.

We just got it out of the car, and guess what -

It's not 20 gallons.

IT'S 30!!!

But, it's very dirty from being stored for so long, so I'll need to wash it really well (not with soap, of course) before I use it.

Lucy

If it doesn't fit you can attach it in your tank some how.
I keep extra sponges in my tanks. Some in the filters and some stuck behind the filter intake.

Fla_Larry

if you are planning on moving all from the 10 to the new 30, then simply use the filter from the 10, that should provide enough bacteria to maintain the tank, while allowing the new filter to come up to "speed" so to speak.
Seed the new tank with gravel as mentioned earlier, you should have no issues.
As the filter fro the 30 is able to take over, reset the 10 and continue.