jprime84

It has been pointed out to me by a few people that although my fish do not appear crowded right now in their 20g tank, they may soon as they continue to grow. The largest fish in my tank should only be growing to about 4 inches, maybe 5.

My plan would be to get another tank slightly larger in a few months as the fish grow, or sooner if recommended, perhaps 30g. The new tank would have everything in the current tank. The gravel, heater, filters, decor, plants, lights, and fish would all be migrated to the new larger tank. No additional inhabitants would be added because the purpose of the larger tank is just more room. I would then keep the 20g as a hospital/spare tank.

Any opinions on how to execute that task? I have no plans to do it any time soon, but I thought it would be good to have it figured out well in advance. Do the fish and filters go first? Do the fish get set aside and everything else setup first? Something else entirely?

Shawnie

move everything at the same time ...keep an eye on a mini cycle , but with the filter, gravel, deco, and fish all moved, it shouldnt happen or be minimal

jprime84

What kind of indicators should I look for to let me know when its time to switch?

Jaysee

I would go with a 29 over a 30 because of the extra height, but that's the right size to be looking at. Keep an eye out for a 35 - same footprint as the 29 (30x12) but taller.

I don't know how to move plants, cause I don't have live plants.

I would go to petsmart and buy a 20long for $30. The 20L has the same footprint as the 29/35 and so the hood will also fit. Move only the fish and decor to the 20L, along with the filter from the 20. Now you can take your time making the switch from the 20 to the 29, doing it right. The fish will be perfectly fine in the 20L for as long as it takes. Once you're done, move the fish, filter and decor to the 29. Clean the 20L and return it. Personally, I would keep the 20L - $30 is a great price for such a versitle tank. Then you can set up the 20 again Get a double stand and you can have both tanks in the same space.

jprime84

I like the idea of having the fish in a calm space with the same water they are used to while I deal with getting the gravel and plants the way I want them. Especially if I can get a tank for that cheap.

Shawnie

I dont agree or condone using a tank for your purpose then returning it ...IMO thats stealing ...but to each their own ...either way, id move the subtrate and deco to get it set up the way you want then move the fish and filter...although I do like the idea of a good 20gal long tank for some cardianls and a ton of plants..I might just go see petsmart ...good luck either way jp!

Diggly

just think of the fish you could put in the spare tank and keep the other tank as a hospital tank! then you wouldnt need to worry about returning it .

jprime84

Well I decided to check last night on craigslist for any tanks for sale nearby. I happened upon quite a deal! I got a 38 gallon tank (36" long, 12" wide, 20" tall). Very weird dimensions, the guys at my LFS told me it was an older tank layout. I got the tank, light, a nice tank stand cabinet, plus a box of random peripherals all for $60. Plus, it was nearby so I couldnt pass it up. I set it up last night with the exact same contents - even including the water - of my 20g tank. I figure its about the same as a 50% water change.

I am cautious of a mini cycle with the change in water size, so I am monitoring ammonia and nitrite levels twice a day. It ran overnight, and this morning all of the fish looked good and the water parameters did also. I'll recheck everything after work.

Shawnie

wow great deal!!! and you know we need pics

peacemaker92

Congrats! Glad you managed to find the tank! Well done! Pictures please as Shawnie said!

aquarist48

Congrats on the new tank JPrime!
Ken

jprime84

I'll post pics up after I get a background, lighting, etc all done.

For the record, I did not buy an extra tank to hold the fish in the meantime. I setup the 38g on its stand, added new gravel (rinsed) and filled it up about halfway with tapwater treated with Prime. I monitored the temperature of this water to keep it close to the old tank's temperature.

Next, I siphoned out about a quarter of the tank water from the 20g and added it to the 38g. Afterwards, I began to migrate all of the decor and plants over to the new aquarium. Now, I have all of the plants and decor in the new aquarium, and the fish in the old.

I siphoned out another 25% or so from the 20g and added it to the 38g. I needed enough that the two filters I am using on the 20g would reach the water level in the 38g. Once I had enough, I moved both filters and the heater over. Now the new 38g tank is about 3/4 full with a mix of new water and old water from the tank, and my two cycled filters are running. The water temps match also. I do a quick pH test to make sure those match as well.

Now with the 20g half empty and free of plants/decor, it is simple to catch the fish one species at a time in my net and transfer them over. After I have everyone accounted for in the new tank, I transfer the remaining water of the 20g to the 38g. Voila, all done!