3.5 gallon to 8 gallon Transfer

Dear Aquarists Friends,

Currently I have a 3.5g tank fully cycled with 8 green neons in it. No plants just 2 Gex Rokaboy filters (1 small 1 compact) and some ornaments with black gravel. I’ve just got a 8g tank and planning to move everything next weekend during my leave. I’m planning to upgrade my compact filter to a small one (note the small is larger than the compact). I’ve drafted out the steps below. Please see if they are workable and advise if by doing this will it disrupt the cycle. Thanks much!

Transfer Fish: Old Tank To New Tank

New Tank Set Up - Day Before

1. Set up new tank with gravel
2. Add 10% new water to new tank
3. Leave it near old tank overnight

Old Tank Transfer - Next Day

1. Draw out 80% water to pail in old tank
2. Transfer old filters to pail
3. Transfer ornaments to pail
4. Catch all fish using net to pail
5. Bring down old tank from cabinet
6. Transfer old gravel to new tank
7. Pour remaining water to pail
8. Bring up new tank to cabinet
9. Transfer 50% water from pail to new tank
10. Transfer fish to new tank
11. Transfer small filter to new tank
12. Transfer filter media from old compact filter to new small filter
13. Add new water to max level (prepared overnight)
14. Start filter
15. Viola!

 

Hi, your transfer plan is a bit confusing but it can work. You can simplify it down a bit so it goes like this-

move everything in 3.5 to a pail- [including equipment, decor, livestock]
take the old tank down
put new tank up
move everything in pail to new tank.

 

I don't see the point of adding 10% of the water to the new tank (#1 day before) or transferring gravel to the new tank before setting it in place (#6). Why not set the new tank in place while it's empty?

 

What JettsPapa said. I would go a step further; most tanks are not designed to be moved unless completely empty so you risk an issue. Having said that i've cheated before as have many other people but still since this is a new tank it is best to move it while nothing is on the bottom.

 

I don't see the point of adding 10% of the water to the new tank (#1 day before) or transferring gravel to the new tank before seeing it in place (#6). Why not set the new tank in place while it's empty?

The reason to this is because the current gravel quantity is not sufficient to fill up the new tank. I need to purchase more gravel to set up the new tank first, then transfer existing gravel to the new tank in the next day.

 

What JettsPapa said. I would go a step further; most tanks are not designed to be moved unless completely empty so you risk an issue. Having said that i've cheated before as have many other people but still since this is a new tank it is best to move it while nothing is on the bottom.

Noted. Thanks for the advice. Yes I agree with you this is a safer approach.

 

Guys actually I’m more concerned on the effect on the nitrogen cycle when moving to a new tank. Will this be a concern? I am not intending to add additional fish until a much later date though.

 

It won't have any ill effects as long as you move the filter and substrate over.

 

Guys actually I’m more concerned on the effect on the nitrogen cycle when moving to a new tank. Will this be a concern? I am not intending to add additional fish until a much later date though.

As long as you move the filter, decor and gravel over you have nothing to worry about. I moved from a 24 gallon to a 53 gallon with 0 issues. Its basically just like a large water change.

 

This is great to know. Thanks a lot guys!

 

The reason to this is because the current gravel quantity is not sufficient to fill up the new tank. I need to purchase more gravel to set up the new tank first, then transfer existing gravel to the new tank in the next day.

Why not add the new gravel after the tank is in place?

 

Why not add the new gravel after the tank is in place?

Sounds like a plan. Thanks.

 

My pet green neons upgraded to their bungalow past Sunday. So far stats have been stable with 0 ammonia and nitrites. Will be adding more schools in a month or 2.