20gal High To Long

I'm planning on getting a 20gal long 30x12x12 replacing my 20high for my little guys and gals but have a few questions about moving everything over.


First I have a aqua clear 30 filter now so can I just move everything over to the new tank as if nothing happened or will this still hurt my bacteria?

Second should I add some water from old tank then fill with fresh water? Or just do 100% new. I buy jug spring water so if I can move some water to the new tank that would help out with a bit of money but not much so I have no problem with doing 100% new.

Thirdly I have white sand substrate now so if I use it in new tank anyone have any good ideas to move to the new tank? I have corys and a bolivian ram.

Lastly should I go darker sand with the rams? I have read that with darker sand you can see their colours more is this true? If I get darker sanf then My salt and pepper corys will be harder to see so I'm torn. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Here is the easiest way to do it:

First, set up the new tank where you want it. Add new water until its 50% full.

In the old tank lower the water level to half by doing a good vacuuming (if this is going to expose the filter and heater, unplug them and move them now).

Then start scooping out the sand and putting it in the new tank.

Now remove half of the old water and put it in the new tank. The old tank will now only have 25% of the water in it, the new will have 75%.

Move any decorations or plants you have.

If you haven't yet moved the heater or filter, do that now. Now only the fish should be left and theyre MUCH easier to wrangle with the tank empty, so move them now. Just scoop them in a net, drop them in the new tank. Fill the tank and you're done. Its that easy. And basically all you did was a 75% water change.

Substrate color is up to you. I like a more natural substrate so I only use "sand" colored sand.

GOOD LUCK!

 

I agree with DuaneV

Thank you. You just saved me from having to type out a long recommendation.

 

Here is the easiest way to do it:

First, set up the new tank where you want it. Add new water until its 50% full.

In the old tank lower the water level to half by doing a good vacuuming (if this is going to expose the filter and heater, unplug them and move them now).

Then start scooping out the sand and putting it in the new tank.

Now remove half of the old water and put it in the new tank. The old tank will now only have 25% of the water in it, the new will have 75%.

Move any decorations or plants you have.

If you haven't yet moved the heater or filter, do that now. Now only the fish should be left and theyre MUCH easier to wrangle with the tank empty, so move them now. Just scoop them in a net, drop them in the new tank. Fill the tank and you're done. Its that easy. And basically all you did was a 75% water change.

Substrate color is up to you. I like a more natural substrate so I only use "sand" colored sand.

GOOD LUCK!

Thank you so much I will follow your instructions point by point.

 

I don't replace tanks I just add more. But if I were I would probably get the 29Gallon which is the same size just 5 inches taller.
I Love the 20 longs (I have 3 stacked on a stand) but if I only had a few tanks that aren't stacked the 9 extra gallons would be nice.
You can swap the filter over, I think it's a little small ( I run the ac 50 on the 20L's) but if it handles your bio load you could get away with it I guess.

I would drain water into a bucket move fish there and then transfer substrate to new tank.
Black sand would probably make the rams look a little better.

 

The only thing I would change is to use a 1/2" ID tubing and "suck" up the sand into a bucket rather than scooping it out. Much easier and faster. The substrate will also have BB so don't rinse it with tap water.

I have peppered cories on BDBS (black substrate) and they look awesome.

 

The only thing I would change is to use a 1/2" ID tubing and "suck" up the sand into a bucket rather than scooping it out. Much easier and faster. The substrate will also have BB so don't rinse it with tap water.

That is how I would move the sand too.

 

I would also suggest the 29 over the 20 long. Same footprint but just a little taller.

Also, the only thing I would add to DuaneV's directions is to make absolutely sure the water in the new tank is the same temperature as the water in the old tank. Otherwise just netting and releasing the fish with no acclimation will be extra stressful for them.

 

Only reason I won't go to a 29 even tho I want to is I buy water so that extra 9 would start to add up. But Thank you all for the help hoping to get my new tank this weekend.

 

Why do you buy water? Is your tap water horrendous?

 

This is info I was looking for but what if you had to go from a 29 gallon to a 65g and the new tank needed to be in the same spot as the old? Also, would the water volume increase be too much for the bb(same 75 filter and sponge bubbler)?

 

This is info I was looking for but what if you had to go from a 29 gallon to a 65g and the new tank needed to be in the same spot as the old? Also, would the water volume increase be too much for the bb(same 75 filter and sponge bubbler)?

Take all the stuff out of the tank and put them in 5 gallon buckets with an air line and heater (if needed) while you move the tanks. Your substrate, plants, decorations will all have BB on their surfaces that will help your new tank. Keep it all wet and the BB will survive. There is very little if any BB in the old tank water so you don't need to save your old, nasty tank water. Once you moved to the bigger tank, feed the same amount of food as you did in the small tank and the BB will colonize in the tank within a week or two.

 

Why do you buy water? Is your tap water horrendous?

Yes its pretty bad. We have a old water system that takes salt and bleach. Dont trust it