question about moving to a larger tank

So I picked up a 20 long with a stand and a Marineland C-160 canister filter from craigslist.com the other day for $50! I was going to actually toss that canister filter on my 10 gallon and save the tank for a sump/refugium for my Saltwater project however It seems kind of dumb not to use the 20 gal because a 10 gal is just kinda small.

My 10 has no fish, 1 plant and it's nearly cycled. If I do decide to swap it will it break my cycle? I would bring the HOB filter over and it's media and of course the gravel and water from the 10.

 

HI there!

If you are moving the filter media as well as all deco and substrate, then your cycle should be in the same spot, since you've brought over all the bacteria that has been growing. I'd say just switch all the stuff over and then keep feeding the bacteria/doing whatever you have been to cycle so far.

Also: good decision on the upgrade ;D

 

Like mmbrown said, it won't harm your current state of cycle. You will need to however up your ammonia addition to compensate for the additional water volume.
It's always better to upgrade, good call!

 

No, your good, the bacteria doesn't live in the water column, but rather in the gravel, filter, and any decorations or rocks that are in the tank.

Best of luck to you!

 

I don't foresee a problem. I once transferred everything from a 56 to 100 gallon with no problems just doing what you are about to do.

 

Great...Now does anyone have any tips on making this as easy as possible? I'm thinking siphon water into bucket's, transfer gravel and decor, refill from buckets. I'd siphon directly from tank to tank but the laws of physics won't allow that the way things will be set up. Wish I had some kind of hand pump!

 

I did the old fashion way too. Transfer everything in the bucket, just make sure you dry out your filter media, always make sure it is wet.

 

Ok...now durring the cleaning of this 20 long I see a warning sticker that says caution, filling more than half full with water may cause top to warp....clearly the previous owner had it filled fuller than half by the scum line i'm trying to remove but is that something I need to worry about? I'm thinking I can take some scrap plexi-glass I have and fashion a center support fairly easily.

 

If the sticker says not to fill, I wonder if the tank was made for reptiles?

 

It looks like it was made for reptiles but everything except the top plastic piece is the same. I fashioned my own center brace using some plexi-glass And it's holding water like a champ. I bought a 32x24 sheet of clear acrylic, a piano hinge and plan on making a hinged lid for it. The spray from my bubbles hitting the surface is making the area around it a little soggy. Ah well...everything is moved over and the filter is running again. I can take my time on the aquascaping I think I need some more plants and maybe some rock. I'ts looking a little empty in there right now.