10 Gallon Tank How Long Should I Wait Before Adding New Fish?

I just set up my 10 gallon tank 4 days ago using 5 gallons of water from my old tank and 3 new gallons. I put the filter from the 5 gallon in it because I’m trying to get more of the good bacteria in there. I currently have my 2 guppies in the new tank who were previously in the 5 gallon and I’m wondering how long I should wait to put in more fish (4 neon tetras).

Thanks!!!

 

So you upgraded from a 5 gallon to a 10, and transferred everything over, correct? So the old filter is still there and hasn't been cleaned at all? Still has old filter/media? Then you're basically good to go as is. Might give it a few days to let the fish relax after the stress of the move, but otherwise you're fine.

(Quarantine on the other hand is always a good idea)

Edit: Misunderstood. Are you leaving the 5 gallon filter on there, or removing it after a while? If you plan on removing it, then give it a few weeks to let the new filter get seeded. Alternatively, you can just stick the used filter pad from the 5 gallon into the filter for the 10 gallon. There should be plastic cheese grater inserts in each filter that will have bacteria on them, so you won't lose the cycle on the filter for the 5 gallon

 

If your filter is already cycled, from an established tank it may be ready now. Test your water, if your seeing nitrAtes, but no ammonia or nitrItes, you can add more fish. Adding 4 at once may be too much at once, I would probably go for two. But at any rate keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites, if you start seeing any, just do a waterchange and add some Prime in till your cycle catches up.

 

Yes, I am moving everything from the five gallon over and in have not cleaned the filter. I am also planning to remove the filter. Thank you!

Then the fastest way to seed the new filter would be to change out the filter pad and put the old one into the 10 gallon filter. Assuming the 5 gallon filter has a cheese grater thing, you won't lose the cycle. Otherwise, give it a couple of weeks.

 

So you upgraded from a 5 gallon to a 10, and transferred everything over, correct? So the old filter is still there and hasn't been cleaned at all? Still has old filter/media? Then you're basically good to go as is. Might give it a few days to let the fish relax after the stress of the move, but otherwise you're fine.

(Quarantine on the other hand is always a good idea)

Edit: Misunderstood. Are you leaving the 5 gallon filter on there, or removing it after a while? If you plan on removing it, then give it a few weeks to let the new filter get seeded. Alternatively, you can just stick the used filter pad from the 5 gallon into the filter for the 10 gallon. There should be plastic cheese grater inserts in each filter that will have bacteria on them, so you won't lose the cycle on the filter for the 5 gallon

Yes, I am moving everything from the five gallon over and in have not cleaned the filter. I am also planning to remove the filter. Thank you!

If your filter is already cycled, from an established tank it may be ready now. Test your water, if your seeing nitrAtes, but no ammonia or nitrItes, you can add more fish. Adding 4 at once may be too much at once, I would probably go for two. But at any rate keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites, if you start seeing any, just do a waterchange and add some Prime in till your cycle catches up.

I checked the water yesterday and it looked fine. Thanks for the help!!

 

Just curious why the tank isn’t full with water?

 

Just curious why the tank isn’t full with water?

Since I didn’t have a full 10 gallons of cycled water, only 5 I didn’t want to dilute it to much by adding five more so I just added 3 for now and will add more later.

 

Since I didn’t have a full 10 gallons of cycled water, only 5 I didn’t want to dilute it to much by adding five more so I just added 3 for now and will add more later.

Just add fresh dechlorinated water. The water is just "dirty water" -the beneficial bacteria that cycle the tank are on the filter media, on the gravel and on objects in the tank. They aren't floating in the water. So fill 'er up!

 

Since I didn’t have a full 10 gallons of cycled water, only 5 I didn’t want to dilute it to much by adding five more so I just added 3 for now and will add more later.

We don't cycle water so there really isn't such a thing as cycled water. We cycle the tank. Cycling is simply growing bacteria that clings to all the surfaces in the tank up to and including the filter media.

I agree with Momgoose56 Go ahead and fill the tank up with fresh dechlorinated water. Your fish will Thank you.