New Tank From 5 Gal To 10 Gal

Hi, I need help, I started this new thread, the thread I have on here is Bettas and Rasporas.. I do not have any Rasporas anymore. I had to take them back. Anyway, my question is I just ordered a new tank 10 gal I have a 5 gal. now I'm up grading to a 10 gal.
I have 1 male Betta and 2 snails 3 bottom feeders.
Mu question is setting up my new tank, should I use all new gravel or use some of the old mixed in with the new? I am going to keep my live plants 2 java ferns and 2 anubis. I did buy new decorations. I need to know, what to do. I was going to use the water from my 5 gal tank and use some of the gravel from the 5 gal tank and mix with the new gravel.
Also, if I put my betta and the 3 bottom feeders in a 3 gal tank until the new tank is set up will I be OK? Please help! Thank you !

 

If you move over the filter and some of the substrate you can move the the fish and others right over as well.

 

I would use the same gravel just rinse it off to get all of the poop out of it. The only real thing you have to worry about with using old water is whether or not you're getting a new filter and cartridge because there is a minuscule amount of the bacteria that's needed on the filter to cycle your tank in the current water in your tank. I would recommend using all of your old stuff, rinsing off and using your new stuff after it's been properly quarantined, and then if you're using the same filter just replace the cartridge and keep the old one behind the new one for a day or two and then throw away the old one so that you don't lose your cycle

 

Hi, "new here" what I'd do is transfer most of the water then add new water. This will I do believe transfer enough good Bacteria to prevent new tank shock. Rinse gravel then add it in. I believe your fish will be fine after that. I've done this and didn't have any issues but if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

 

If your 5 gallon is cycled and established just move everything over to the 10 gallon. You will just be moving your cycle to a bigger tank. I would use some of the water from your original tank. Not because it has good bacteria in it but because your fish are used to it and it might be too much for them with completely fresh water.

 

If you move over the filter and some of the substrate you can move the the fish and others right over as well.

I am adding a more powerful filter as well, so should I use the same cartridge? And what about the gravel, should I mix it with some of the old? ThatsTha good idea I can put enough water in the new tank and add my decorations and gravel first, is that right?

 

You want to put your old cartridge in your new filter with the new filter cartridge to let the bacteria transfer over. As long as you don't lose that bacteria, you should not lose your cycle. You can mix your gravel and decorations and everything else however you want as long as you rinse them properly first. And if you get any more plants you want to quarantine them first before adding them to your tank

What kind of Bottom Feeders do you have?

 

You've gotten good advice. As far as the gravel, If you are adding more of the same gravel, use your old gravel and add the appropriate amount of new. If you are changing gravel or switching to sand, don't worry about the old gravel. I do it all the time. Like others have said, I'd take the five gallons of old water and top it off with new. It's like doing a 50% water change. Use both filter cartridges. Insert the new one where it should go and place your exsisting cartridge behind it. Post pics when you are done. We love new set-ups!

 

You've gotten good advice. As far as the gravel, If you are adding more of the same gravel, use your old gravel and add the appropriate amount of new. If you are changing gravel or switching to sand, don't worry about the old gravel. I do it all the time. Like others have said, I'd take the five gallons of old water and top it off with new. It's like doing a 50% water change. Use both filter cartridges. Insert the new one where it should go and place your exsisting cartridge behind it. Post pics when you are done. We love new set-ups!

Thank you so much that is what I was going to do but I wanted to check here first. Someone asked what my bottom feeders are and I believe they are chain loaches. My 5 gal. Tank is perfect as far as the levels, just had it tested within a couple of days ago. Not with the strips. I will post pics. ItsI going to be a glow tank

 

You might have to baffle a more powerful filter for your betta .. be alert to that. It can be very stressful if there is too much current on a full-finned betta.

Glo fish in a 5 gallon? I ... don't think that will work.

 

If your 5 gallon is cycled and established just move everything over to the 10 gallon. You will just be moving your cycle to a bigger tank. I would use some of the water from your original tank. Not because it has good bacteria in it but because your fish are used to it and it might be too much for them with completely fresh water.

Yes my 5 gal is cycled and has been tested within a couple of days ago tested perfect and not with strips.

 

Monitor your loaches in the new set up. I know they are described as "dwarf" and compared to clown loaches they are. They generally require a larger footprint like a 20 long. Just keep an eye on them.

 

Monitor your loaches in the new set up. I know they are described as "dwarf" and compared to clown loaches they are. They generally require a larger footprint like a 20 long. Just keep an eye on them.

I will send a pic of them, I may be wrong as to what they are

I will send a pic of them, I may be wrong as to what they are

They have had black stripe son their side

Yes my 5 gal is cycled and has been tested within a couple of days ago tested perfect and not with strips.

Thank you so much, you all have been so helpful.!

I will send a pic of them, I may be wrong as to what they are

Did you see my pic of my bottom feeders? Are they loaches andawill they be OK in the 101gal tank?
There area3 of them with my betta abd 2 snailss

Did you see my pic of my bottom feeders? Are they loaches andawill they be OK in the 101gal tank?
There area3 of them with my betta abd 2 snailss

10 galgtank not 101 lol

Did you see my pic of my bottom feeders? Are they loaches andawill they be OK in the 101gal tank?
There area3 of them with my betta abd 2 snailss

10 gal tank it shiuld be here tomorrow, can't wait to get it set up!

You might have to baffle a more powerful filter for your betta .. be alert to that. It can be very stressful if there is too much current on a full-finned betta.

Glo fish in a 5 gallon? I ... don't think that will work.

The tank is a glo fish tank it's a 10 gal I am putting the same live plants mosI'm balls and 2 other decorations, is this going to be a problem?

You've gotten good advice. As far as the gravel, If you are adding more of the same gravel, use your old gravel and add the appropriate amount of new. If you are changing gravel or switching to sand, don't worry about the old gravel. I do it all the time. Like others have said, I'd take the five gallons of old water and top it off with new. It's like doing a 50% water change. Use both filter cartridges. Insert the new one where it should go and place your exsisting cartridge behind it. Post pics when you are done. We love new set-ups!

The new tank I ordered is the aquenon fish neo glow led aquarium starter on my page there is a pic of it the second one under the tank on the left, $79 is this one ok?

If your 5 gallon is cycled and established just move everything over to the 10 gallon. You will just be moving your cycle to a bigger tank. I would use some of the water from your original tank. Not because it has good bacteria in it but because your fish are used to it and it might be too much for them with completely fresh water.

The new tank I ordered is the aquenon fish neo glow led aquarium starter on my page there is a pic of it the second one under the tank on the left, $79 is this one ok?

The new tank I ordered is the aquenon fish neo glow led aquarium starter on my page there is a pic of it the second one under the tank on the left, $79 is this one ok?

Is it normal for a betta to hide and stays there for awhile??

 

The loaches may grow too large for a 10 gallon; a 20 gallon is the minimum size recommended for them normally. Your betta and two snails will probably enjoy their new home. If it's well planted, you could also try ghost shrimp.

 

I was afraid of that, I went by the what the pet store said, and they rcommended these for bottom feeders, I didn't think to ask how big they would get. They are very small, when I got them so I just went with them. Would I be better off with catfish? The betta does not seem to mind them the loaches, i' m going to call the pet store today to see exactly what my bottom feeders are. It's a great hometown pet stores, they know us by name because we have 2 tea cup yorkies and they order their food for us
Thank you all so much, this site is absolutely the best, I really get good info from all of you!! Thank you again ❣️ this I'm sure won' T be the lastl time you'll here from me lol

 

Other than Asian stone catfish .. there really isn't a suitable bottom dwelling catfish/corydora for a 10 gallon. I'm worried that he wouldn't work out stock wise, either. They are very stationary type critters and would be an easy target to get picked on. You don't NEED one. I wouldn't ever get a fish unless I really wanted that particular fish. The best cleaner in an aquarium is you. *grin* The larger the tank, usually the more active the betta is. I upgraded one of my bettas from a 2.5 where he basically stayed in one place all the time, to a 6.6 gallon bookshelf .. which has the same length as a 20 gallon tank. He is busy ALL day patrolling. There might not be as much extra space as you might believe.

 

Hi, "new here" what I'd do is transfer most of the water then add new water. This will I do believe transfer enough good Bacteria to prevent new tank shock. Rinse gravel then add it in. I believe your fish will be fine after that. I've done this and didn't have any issues but if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

Other than Asian stone catfish .. there really isn't a suitable bottom dwelling catfish/corydora for a 10 gallon. I'm worried that he wouldn't work out stock wise, either. They are very stationary type critters and would be an easy target to get picked on. You don't NEED one. I wouldn't ever get a fish unless I really wanted that particular fish. The best cleaner in an aquarium is you. *grin* The larger the tank, usually the more active the betta is. I upgraded one of my bettas from a 2.5 where he basically stayed in one place all the time, to a 6.6 gallon bookshelf .. which has the same length as a 20 gallon tank. He is busy ALL day patrolling. There might not be as much extra space as you might believe.

OK thank you so very much I guess the bottom feeders are going back to the fish store! My new 10 gal tank will be here today I can't wait to get it set up. I am going to use most of the water from my 5 gal tank and mix the gravel from my old tank, but I will rinse it first. I will use the old cartridge behind the new one for a couple of daysd just to keep some of the good bacteria in the new tank.
Thank you so much for responding and helping me. I love this forum!

Other than Asian stone catfish .. there really isn't a suitable bottom dwelling catfish/corydora for a 10 gallon. I'm worried that he wouldn't work out stock wise, either. They are very stationary type critters and would be an easy target to get picked on. You don't NEED one. I wouldn't ever get a fish unless I really wanted that particular fish. The best cleaner in an aquarium is you. *grin* The larger the tank, usually the more active the betta is. I upgraded one of my bettas from a 2.5 where he basically stayed in one place all the time, to a 6.6 gallon bookshelf .. which has the same length as a 20 gallon tank. He is busy ALL day patrolling. There might not be as much extra space as you might believe.

Also, I'm not sure by what you meant by Grin the larger tank is just a little longer abd a couple of inches taller. It should be ok right?

 

*grin* is an emote meaning I .. grinned. As to the rest, I was just giving you an example about why an upgrade in size of tank may not necessarily mean there is room for more fish. It may just mean your current stock has more room to patrol and poke around. A 10 gallon is a great size for a betta. He's very lucky.

 

*grin* is an emote meaning I .. grinned. As to the rest, I was just giving you an example about why an upgrade in size of tank may not necessarily mean there is room for more fish. It may just mean your current stock has more room to patrol and poke around. A 10 gallon is a great size for a betta. He's very lucky.

Thank you, but actually my daughter ordered the tank so yes it's bigger but I am going to put more decorations and plants for him to hide or be active what ever he wants. Please tell me he will be fine also with the 2 snails? Thank you!

Thank you, but actually my daughter ordered the tank so yes it's bigger but I am going to put more decorations and plants for him to hide or be active what ever he wants. Please tell me he will be fine also with the 2 snails? Thank you!

OK you did say he is very lucky to have a 10 gal tank, that's what I'm getting.

 

Yes ... that's a great tank size for a betta and a couple of snail friends. You could try adding a ghost shrimp with him as well, but he may not leave it alone.

 

Yes ... that's a great tank size for a betta and a couple of snail friends. You could try adding a ghost shrimp with him as well, but he may not leave it alone.

I don't think I want to take that chance if you think he may not leave the ghost shrimp alone..i'd hate to have to take it back. He doesn't bother the 3 bottom feeders now in the 5 gal tank, so with the 10 gal I'm thinking he should be OK, he swims all over his tank now. So in the bigger tank he's going to have more room to swim. What do you think?

 

Yes, he will enjoy having more room to swim around. Best of luck with your betta!

 

Yes, he will enjoy having more room to swim around. Best of luck with your betta!

Got it set up today, I have to get more live plants the rest of the decorations will be here tomorrow. He is so happy!
Thank you again, this site is the! best!