annmscott

I am upgrading from a 30 gal. to a 40 gal. should I use the water from the 30 gal. and then just add new water to fill it the rest of the way, I do have a few fish in it?

I have 2 hatchets,2 rosy barbs and a tetra in the tank now.

john&jen

It certainly wouldn't hurt. Are you moving your gravel too? Most of your beneficial bacteria live there and that would keep the new tank cycled.

Lucy

The water contains very little beneficial bacteria, so in regards to the cycle, it won't help.
If your parmeters are ok (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites 5-10 nitrates) in the 30g, transfering water won't hurt the 40g, but why not start with fresh water.

You can trasfer the filter media from the 30 (assuming it's cycled) into the 40 for a quick cycle.
If you're keeping the 30 up and running along with the 40, you can cut a peice of the filter media from the established tank and add it to the 40g.

I hope that wasn't confusing.

Edit:

Although some of bacteria does live in the substrate, most of it is in the filter and on the media.
Transfering the gravel can help too.

annmscott

I _can_ move the gravel, but I have a snail infestation that I was hoping to get rid of. I was not planning on keeping both running because I don't have the room. My current tank has been up and running for about 3 years and I have a Fluval 205. My numbers are as follows:

nitrate: 20
nitrite: 0
Hardness: 250-425
alkalinity: 120
pH: 7.2

I was planning on new gravel, but I am going to be using my same filter with media.

I have a hard time keeping fish sometimes, I keep up on water changes. I have very hard water but had been told that fish store fish can adapt from being in captivity for many years now as appose to there natural environments? My numbers are always very good also?

1. Will my fish survive new tank,gravel,water with same media?
2. Any suggestions on the hard water issue?

Thanks,
Ann

P.S. Lucy love your cat in the tank!

J J Indy

If you have snails i wouldnt use the water or the gravel but make sure you check the filter for snails because i have foud snails in my filter before and you would be transfering the snails into your new tank.

Lucy

Thanks, he was so ornery, but a sweet cat just the same. Sadly we lost him at the age of 5 to an asthma attack and enlarged heart.

1) They should, you're transferring the majority of the bacteria your tank needs to process the ammonia. Keep your eye on the water parameters and do water changes if needed.

2) I don't know anything about hard water. I know mine is hard because of the calcium deposits and my husband told me and my fish are fine.