Help! Getting a larger tank and I need help with how to seed the new tank.

My daughter got a five gallon fish tank less than one year ago and we have a new nine gallon tank arriving this week. We will be only using the new fish tank as the five gallon tank is too small now. Anyways, we are planning on reusing the substrate, fake plants etc from the current five gallon tank. The tank now has a filter built into the back and we use the tetra filters that you put charcoal inside. The new tank is the Fluval Flex 9 gallon tank. The specs say the filter is a 3-stage filtration is included with oversized mechanical (foam), chemical (carbon), and biological (Biomax) media.

Since my current filter is different from the Fluval filter, is there a way to still move the filter over to get the tank seeded? I wondered if I could just set the old filter loosely somewhere in the back of the tank where the filter area is? Or maybe put it in a panty hose foot and put it in the main part of the tank? Also, can we take the substrate out of the old tank while leaving the fish without any substrate for 24 hours while we are getting the new tank set up?

My only idea is to buy a tetra whisper filter that holds the same size cartridge as the current tank and I could add it to the new tank for a few weeks? They are very inexpensive, about $13. Considering my situation of needing to get one of the tanks moved out of my daughter's room ASAP, I would be happy to spend $13. Just want to make sure this is a proper way to quickly cycle a tank... I would like to move the fish to the new tank within 24 hours.

Thank you!

 

As long as you don't get more fish, I think simply putting your old filter in the new tank and running it for a month will be enough. Since the bioload is the same, the filter can keep up, and you've got the larger one for mechanical filtration. You could also squeeze your old media in the new tank first. Lots of bacteria will go into the water column and be sucked up by the new filter, cycling it faster. Cycling with any type of nature filter media is incredibly easy and quick IME.

 

When you transfer the gravel and plants over to the new tank do a few things. Do not rinse it with cold/tap water. Try to keep the water temps the same within the tanks when transferring.

Also, for the filter media, you can just wring/shake it out in the new tank. A bunch of gunk will fly off, that's full of beneficial bacteria.

 

When you transfer the gravel and plants over to the new tank do a few things. Do not rinse it with cold/tap water. Try to keep the water temps the same within the tanks when transferring.

Also, for the filter media, you can just wring/shake it out in the new tank. A bunch of gunk will fly off, that's full of beneficial bacteria.

I've done this. It will create a small spike for a few days IME, but then after that it's smooth sailing.

 

I have read your post JulieElizabeth . Let me say you can move everything over to the new tank gravel, plastic ornaments, fake plants, old water , fish and all in under 30 minutes. Adding a few gallons of fresh temperature matched conditioned water ( 4 gallons or less ) would be just like a normal water change for the fish. Do not worry about how brown the water looks. Think of a river in flood and how brown a river can be. Do not clean anything this week. Move the ornaments gravel etc without cleaning at all.
In a months time you can clean one or two items each week. Your job is to move as much bacteria as possible. Bacteria lives on all hard surfaces regardless of what the manufacturers say in regards to the 3 stage filter etc. All elements in a filter have bacteria on them . All hard surfaces have bacteria on them . You will be losing only a small amount that is on the 5 gallons glass panels.

The Fluval flex 9 has a lid/ hood. This may limit how you can add the old filter without the possibility of the fish jumping out if the lid is not closed completely.

I realise you want the new tank to look beautiful on day one. I suggest you put up with having the lid half closed and a towel etc stopping a jumper. Run the old and new filter for a month if you possibly can . If it’s just not practical to run both filters you will have to shove all the old filters( guts) foam,cartridge, fabric or floss into the new filter somewhere. And leave it there for a month.

Just chuck everything in the new tank.
In time you can make it look nice.

If you have an ornament you don’t want to use in the new tank sorry that has to go in the new tank for a month.

As far as cleaning the gravel. DO NOT clean the gravel. It was ok in the old tank yesterday. It can stay that way for a month. Only then can you deep clean some of what you have used.

To answer your question.
No the fish should not be left behind for 24 hours. They must go all at the same time as the bacteria that is on the old gravel.

Sorry the new tank is just going to have to look like a mess for a while. Just move everything in 30 minutes.
Next month or in a few months time you can pull everything out and make a pretty pretty tank.

 

I have read your post JulieElizabeth . Let me say you can move everything over to the new tank gravel, plastic ornaments, fake plants, old water , fish and all in under 30 minutes. Adding a few gallons of fresh temperature matched conditioned water ( 4 gallons or less ) would be just like a normal water change for the fish. Do not worry about how brown the water looks. Think of a river in flood and how brown a river can be. Do not clean anything this week. Move the ornaments gravel etc without cleaning at all.
In a months time you can clean one or two items each week. Your job is to move as much bacteria as possible. Bacteria lives on all hard surfaces regardless of what the manufacturers say in regards to the 3 stage filter etc. All elements in a filter have bacteria on them . All hard surfaces have bacteria on them . You will be losing only a small amount that is on the 5 gallons glass panels.

The Fluval flex 9 has a lid/ hood. This may limit how you can add the old filter without the possibility of the fish jumping out if the lid is not closed completely.

I realise you want the new tank to look beautiful on day one. I suggest you put up with having the lid half closed and a towel etc stopping a jumper. Run the old and new filter for a month if you possibly can . If it’s just not practical to run both filters you will have to shove all the old filters( guts) foam,cartridge, fabric or floss into the new filter somewhere. And leave it there for a month.

Just chuck everything in the new tank.
In time you can make it look nice.

If you have an ornament you don’t want to use in the new tank sorry that has to go in the new tank for a month.

As far as cleaning the gravel. DO NOT clean the gravel. It was ok in the old tank yesterday. It can stay that way for a month. Only then can you deep clean some of what you have used.

To answer your question.
No the fish should not be left behind for 24 hours. They must go all at the same time as the bacteria that is on the old gravel.

Sorry the new tank is just going to have to look like a mess for a while. Just move everything in 30 minutes.
Next month or in a few months time you can pull everything out and make a pretty pretty tank.

Thanks so much for your help! I would love to do this all in 30 minutes. Can we vacuum the rocks a little bit before transferring? We had a food spill and there's a lot of fish food in the rocks.

I have read your post JulieElizabeth . Let me say you can move everything over to the new tank gravel, plastic ornaments, fake plants, old water , fish and all in under 30 minutes. Adding a few gallons of fresh temperature matched conditioned water ( 4 gallons or less ) would be just like a normal water change for the fish. Do not worry about how brown the water looks. Think of a river in flood and how brown a river can be. Do not clean anything this week. Move the ornaments gravel etc without cleaning at all.
In a months time you can clean one or two items each week. Your job is to move as much bacteria as possible. Bacteria lives on all hard surfaces regardless of what the manufacturers say in regards to the 3 stage filter etc. All elements in a filter have bacteria on them . All hard surfaces have bacteria on them . You will be losing only a small amount that is on the 5 gallons glass panels.

The Fluval flex 9 has a lid/ hood. This may limit how you can add the old filter without the possibility of the fish jumping out if the lid is not closed completely.

I realise you want the new tank to look beautiful on day one. I suggest you put up with having the lid half closed and a towel etc stopping a jumper. Run the old and new filter for a month if you possibly can . If it’s just not practical to run both filters you will have to shove all the old filters( guts) foam,cartridge, fabric or floss into the new filter somewhere. And leave it there for a month.

Just chuck everything in the new tank.
In time you can make it look nice.

If you have an ornament you don’t want to use in the new tank sorry that has to go in the new tank for a month.

As far as cleaning the gravel. DO NOT clean the gravel. It was ok in the old tank yesterday. It can stay that way for a month. Only then can you deep clean some of what you have used.

To answer your question.
No the fish should not be left behind for 24 hours. They must go all at the same time as the bacteria that is on the old gravel.

Sorry the new tank is just going to have to look like a mess for a while. Just move everything in 30 minutes.
Next month or in a few months time you can pull everything out and make a pretty pretty tank.

As long as you don't get more fish, I think simply putting your old filter in the new tank and running it for a month will be enough. Since the bioload is the same, the filter can keep up, and you've got the larger one for mechanical filtration. You could also squeeze your old media in the new tank first. Lots of bacteria will go into the water column and be sucked up by the new filter, cycling it faster. Cycling with any type of nature filter media is incredibly easy and quick IME.

Thanks for your response! Do you think it's okay to vacuum the gravel before we move it over? We are adding new gravel too. We have quite a bit of food on the gravel due to a food spill.

I've done this. It will create a small spike for a few days IME, but then after that it's smooth sailing.

Thanks for your response! Do you think it's okay to vacuum the gravel before we move it over? We are adding new gravel too. We have quite a bit of food on the gravel due to a food spill.

When you transfer the gravel and plants over to the new tank do a few things. Do not rinse it with cold/tap water. Try to keep the water temps the same within the tanks when transferring.

Also, for the filter media, you can just wring/shake it out in the new tank. A bunch of gunk will fly off, that's full of beneficial bacteria.

Thanks for your response! Do you think it's okay to vacuum the gravel before we move it over? We are adding new gravel too. We have quite a bit of food on the gravel due to a food spill.

I have read your post JulieElizabeth . Let me say you can move everything over to the new tank gravel, plastic ornaments, fake plants, old water , fish and all in under 30 minutes. Adding a few gallons of fresh temperature matched conditioned water ( 4 gallons or less ) would be just like a normal water change for the fish. Do not worry about how brown the water looks. Think of a river in flood and how brown a river can be. Do not clean anything this week. Move the ornaments gravel etc without cleaning at all.
In a months time you can clean one or two items each week. Your job is to move as much bacteria as possible. Bacteria lives on all hard surfaces regardless of what the manufacturers say in regards to the 3 stage filter etc. All elements in a filter have bacteria on them . All hard surfaces have bacteria on them . You will be losing only a small amount that is on the 5 gallons glass panels.

The Fluval flex 9 has a lid/ hood. This may limit how you can add the old filter without the possibility of the fish jumping out if the lid is not closed completely.

I realise you want the new tank to look beautiful on day one. I suggest you put up with having the lid half closed and a towel etc stopping a jumper. Run the old and new filter for a month if you possibly can . If it’s just not practical to run both filters you will have to shove all the old filters( guts) foam,cartridge, fabric or floss into the new filter somewhere. And leave it there for a month.

Just chuck everything in the new tank.
In time you can make it look nice.

If you have an ornament you don’t want to use in the new tank sorry that has to go in the new tank for a month.

As far as cleaning the gravel. DO NOT clean the gravel. It was ok in the old tank yesterday. It can stay that way for a month. Only then can you deep clean some of what you have used.

To answer your question.
No the fish should not be left behind for 24 hours. They must go all at the same time as the bacteria that is on the old gravel.

Sorry the new tank is just going to have to look like a mess for a while. Just move everything in 30 minutes.
Next month or in a few months time you can pull everything out and make a pretty pretty tank.

It's okay if it looks like a mess. So far, we have kept all of our fish alive, so I don't want to jeopardize their health. I was wondering, could I just put the old filter in the back of the new tank? Like the area they have blocked off for the new filter? Or is it better to try to set up the old filter to run while making sure none of the fish can jump out?