Upgrade From 10 Gal To 20 Gal?

Hello all, I really want to upgrade from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon long for my betta, shrimp, and snail tank. My only options from very expensive LFS are 20 gallon longs without lids and I need lid due to having cats as well. I was wondering if buying a kit online would be feasible since they come with hoods typically? Amazon seems very expensive and mostly 20 gallon talls not longs. I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for online purchases?

Thanks in advance!

 

Consider buying a 20 gallon second hand? They should be a lot cheaper then buying brand new.

 

W

Consider buying a 20 gallon second hand? They should be a lot cheaper then buying brand new.

The country I'm currently in is extremely expensive when it comes to aquariums stuff. Even disgusting broken tanks are selling for the cost of brand new ones on amazon. :/

I could buy a 20 gallon long new in country for about $35-$40 but it won't have a lid or filter or lights. I have no idea how to go about adding those things if I go that route.

 

I could buy a 20 gallon long new in country for about $35-$40 but it won't have a lid or filter or lights. I have no idea how to go about adding those things if I go that route.

Just go diy part of it like diy lids

 

Just go diy part of it like diy lids

Do you have recommendations on how to do this? I've watched youtube videos but would not know where to buy acrylic or anything to even make the lids.

 

Do you have recommendations on how to do this? I've watched youtube videos but would not know where to buy acrylic or anything to even make the lids.

I haven't made diy lids personally but I know that pet smart, fishkeepers, and lfs do for light are you doing plants? If so what types? And what filter are you talking about? Sponge filter? Hob filter? Or canester?

 

If I may ask what country are you in? It may help us figure out your options.

 

I haven't made diy lids personally but I know that pet smart, fishkeepers, and lfs do for light are you doing plants? If so what types? And what filter are you talking about? Sponge filter? Hob filter? Or canester?

I currently have a 10 gallon kit and it came with a filter that goes inside (added media and stuff type) so I'm still researching new filters. I want to do a low maintenance walstad style tank to make it a more natural style for my betta so something to just keep water moving (I also have an air stone and heater already). I have a ton of plants but my LFS doesn't label them so I don't actually know what they are, so I'm still working on identifying them to be honest. I don't mind buying lights and filter separately, I think I'm just mostly concerned with figuring out a life somehow to keep my cats out and water evaporation in. Sorry if any of this isn't super clear, I'm not well informed on aquariums and have been searching youtube/fishlore to try to teach myself everything.

If I may ask what country are you in? It may help us figure out your options.

Singapore! We'll only be here for another 1.5 years so I'll end up starting over when we move back to America.

 

If you have Amazon all that can be bought separately.

 

If you have Amazon all that can be bought separately.

the lid? edit: I realized you said "all" sorry haha. I am looking on amazon but my best best seems to buy a kit. otherwise the tanks alone without anything are like $100 for 20 long, unless I'm not doing searches adequately.

 

Aqueon Aquarium AAG29030 Versa Top, 30-Inch

All Glass Aquarium AAG21230 Fluorescent Deluxe Hood, 30-Inch
These were just the first 2

 

I didn't see hoods, so thank you! Maybe I'm just searching with terrible wording. Adding that to my cart and going to measure the tank again at my LFS and see if it'll work. Thank you again!

 

Consider buying a glass lid - or even going to a glazier to get the glass cut.

 

My gf said she wanted to get me a 20 G tank for xmas/bday. Does anyone have tips on how to upgrade from 10G to a 20G? I'd like to do it right away without cycling and this is my plan.
Please tell me if I'm doing this wrong:

1. I'm going to remove everything out of my 10g tank minus the livestock. Then drain most of the tank into a bucket while leaving water for the fish and snails (leaving the airstone and heater in with fish)
2. I'm going to remove the tank from the shelf and place the 20 in it's place.
3. I'll lay the 20G with new substrate along with the substrate from the 10G
4. Place hardscape
5. Plant plants (lol)
6. Pour half the water from the bucket into the new tank along with RO freshwater I get from the store
7. Place the tech (heater, canister filter, and lighting)
8. Wait an hour or two then place livestock

Any and all thoughts would be appreciated!

 

I would use most of the water from 10G (it would be a more than 50% water change in the new 20g), and move the livestock with that water. Setup as much as you can (filters, heaters, decor) from the old tank and add water like you are doing a water change. This would help transfer your 10g to 20g with minimum distraction on water parameters. Refine the decoration, etc during the next water change.

 

I have to ask, Do you normally use RO water from the pet store to do your water changes? If not then there is no reason to do it when upgrading.

You will basically be moving the cycle from one tank to another. You will lose the bacteria growing on the tank walls but that will be a negligible amount so shouldn't be a problem. I don't know if it will help or not but it might not be a bad idea to scrape the tank walls just before taking the water out. I would use an unused credit type card. By doing so there may be some bacteria in the water.

Try to move as much water as you can from the 10 gallon over to the 20 gallon. This is the water your fish are used to. As veggieshark mentioned. It will basically be doing a 50% water change.

It sounds like you have a pretty solid grasp on what to do and how to do it. While making the transfer be sure to keep everything (decor, substrate, filter media) wet and out of the water the least amount of time as possible.

Looking forward to photos of the finished tank

 

I have to ask, Do you normally use RO water from the pet store to do your water changes? If not then there is no reason to do it when upgrading.

You will basically be moving the cycle from one tank to another. You will lose the bacteria growing on the tank walls but that will be a negligible amount so shouldn't be a problem. I don't know if it will help or not but it might not be a bad idea to scrape the tank walls just before taking the water out. I would use an unused credit type card. By doing so there may be some bacteria in the water.

Try to move as much water as you can from the 10 gallon over to the 20 gallon. This is the water your fish are used to. As veggieshark mentioned. It will basically be doing a 50% water change.

It sounds like you have a pretty solid grasp on what to do and how to do it. While making the transfer be sure to keep everything (decor, substrate, filter media) wet and out of the water the least amount of time as possible.

Looking forward to photos of the finished tank

I pretty much only use RO water from the store. I go to Walmart and fill gallon jugs like you find inn na office setting. What you both said is true. I might as well just use all the water from the 10G in the 20G since that's half already. Definitely will keep plants, stone and driftwood wet. I'm doing a new scape with recently purchased ohko stone so I need to soak that prior. I also bought more driftwood that I'll boil. I think I'll just keep the water in my canister filter in there since it has all the bacteria. I won't change out filter media until the next time I do the filter which I do once a month

 

If it is actually RO water and not just drinking water are you adding the minerals that have been pulled out of the water during the process of producing RO water? If it is just normal drinking water it will still have the necessary minerals and should be perfect for your tank if your tap water is for some reason unusable.

I am wondering what filter media you are changing out each month. I've never used a canister filter but do understand the concept. Changing out filter media once a month seems excessive to me. Cleaning may be necessary but once a month also seems excessive.

I know the makers of HOB filters recommend changing out the cartridge once a month but when doing so lots of bacteria is thrown away each month. I run HOB filters and have moved away from buying disposable cartridges but even while I was still using them I used them until they were literally falling apart or water would no longer flow through them freely. Even then I would cut the fiber off the plastic frame and put that piece of fiber in with the new cartridge. The more often one changes the cartridges the more money the company makes thus the reason they recommend changing once a month.

 

I would also go with a 20 gallon long.

 

I agree; for my cannister filter I change out/clean every 3-6 months. By then things are pretty gooped up in there. I typically spray mine out with the hose, but if you don't have a backup filter to hold the bacteria you will lose most of it using that method. That method works for me as I run a backup sponge filter and have ample substrate the bacteria also inhabits to ensure I don't lose cycle. It's never a bad idea if you replace media to leave the old in as mattgirl recommends for at least a couple weeks to a month until the new stuff gets bb'd up.

 

If it is actually RO water and not just drinking water are you adding the minerals that have been pulled out of the water during the process of producing RO water? If it is just normal drinking water it will still have the necessary minerals and should be perfect for your tank if your tap water is for some reason unusable.

I am wondering what filter media you are changing out each month. I've never used a canister filter but do understand the concept. Changing out filter media once a month seems excessive to me. Cleaning may be necessary but once a month also seems excessive.

I know the makers of HOB filters recommend changing out the cartridge once a month but when doing so lots of bacteria is thrown away each month. I run HOB filters and have moved away from buying disposable cartridges but even while I was still using them I used them until they were literally falling apart or water would no longer flow through them freely. Even then I would cut the fiber off the plastic frame and put that piece of fiber in with the new cartridge. The more often one changes the cartridges the more money the company makes thus the reason they recommend changing once a month.

It claims to be RO water. I've only ever used that. I haven't been adding minerals to it. The TDS of my tap water is close to or over 500. So I went for the RO water. I've generally had no issues but I AM on my second round of endlers. I bought 4 last year but since have all died. I recently bought 5 and 1 has died. Not sure if that is a contributing factor or not. I do have 3 snails that I've had since last year that haven't died yet but they are pretty hardy(least I think so)

I'm sorry I didn't mean changing out. Once a month I open the canister, take all the media out tray by tray and dunk it in aquarium water that I took out from the tank. I rinse the media in that to get the big stuff out and put it all back in with a fresh floss on top. I have Fluval stratum which is notorious for being messy when moving things around. I rescaped recently which cause a lot of dirt to get into the filter floss which made it totally brown.

When I use HOB filters I don't use the cartridge. I'll use the sponge that comes with it but I'll add Fluval bio rings, mesh floss I bought at hobby lobby (craft store), and maybe another sponge on the top layer. I just bought a Tidal 55 and that's what I'll do if I decide to use a HOB or canister

I would also go with a 20 gallon long.

I thought about that but since it will be a gift I don't want to be a jerk to my gf and say "Well this was a good idea but really I want this one" lol

 

It claims to be RO water. I've only ever used that. I haven't been adding minerals to it. The TDS of my tap water is close to or over 500. So I went for the RO water. I've generally had no issues but I AM on my second round of endlers. I bought 4 last year but since have all died. I recently bought 5 and 1 has died. Not sure if that is a contributing factor or not.

It could very well be a contributing factor to the fish deaths. RO water is missing necessary minerals. When using it we have to add them. You may want to see if you can get just plain drinking water instead of RO water. Drinking water has to have minerals in it.

A little story. Years ago. In fact back before buying bottle water was even a thing a man here though about bottling up and selling water that comes from a natural spring. He had it tested and it didn't pass the test. The reason it didn't pass is because it was too pure. It had zero minerals in it.

You may be able to work with the RO water by using half RO water and half water from your tap.

I'm sorry I didn't mean changing out. Once a month I open the canister, take all the media out tray by tray and dunk it in aquarium water that I took out from the tank. I rinse the media in that to get the big stuff out and put it all back in with a fresh floss on top. I have Fluval stratum which is notorious for being messy when moving things around. I rescaped recently which cause a lot of dirt to get into the filter floss which made it totally brown.

Much better. I was afraid you were throwing out some of your good bacteria. It is good to hear that you aren't.

When I use HOB filters I don't use the cartridge. I'll use the sponge that comes with it but I'll add Fluval bio rings, mesh floss I bought at hobby lobby (craft store), and maybe another sponge on the top layer. I just bought a Tidal 55 and that's what I'll do if I decide to use a HOB or canister

Perfect

I thought about that but since it will be a gift I don't want to be a jerk to my gf and say "Well this was a good idea but really I want this one" lol

I would have to think she would understand specially if you let her know that the long tank is better for the fish than the tall one. If she isn't in the hobby she won't know that one is better than the other.

 

mattgirl my water smells which is my concern. I don't even drink the tap water. I might just need to buy something like Seachem Equilibrium to balance unless you know a better way

 

mattgirl my water smells which is my concern. I don't even drink the tap water. I might just need to buy something like Seachem Equilibrium to balance unless you know a better way

Gotcha. I don't think I would want to use that water either. Is regular drinking water not an option? If it is possible you wouldn't have to add anything. I use Equilibrium in my water and crushed coral in my filters since mine is so soft and is very low in minerals. It comes out of the tap with a TDS of 21.

Have you by any change checked the TDS level of the water you are buying?

 

While I use tap water at home, I don't have a good option for my work aquarium so I use culligan water in as I don't trust the water out of the tap at the office. Culligan sells RO (blue cap), think Purified (green) and mineral water (red). I usually use the mineral water but sometimes will sub an RO bottle into the rotation depending on water testing.

It costs me like $25 every couple months for 40g water changes so probably could get away with like 1/2 that for a 20. Just an option if logic and budget permit.

 

Gotcha. I don't think I would want to use that water either. Is regular drinking water not an option? If it is possible you wouldn't have to add anything. I use Equilibrium in my water and crushed coral in my filters since mine is so soft and is very low in minerals. It comes out of the tap with a TDS of 21.

Have you by any change checked the TDS level of the water you are buying?

I have and its at about 76. I'll have to buy Equilibrium

 

While I use tap water at home, I don't have a good option for my work aquarium so I use culligan water in as I don't trust the water out of the tap at the office. Culligan sells RO (blue cap), think Purified (green) and mineral water (red). I usually use the mineral water but sometimes will sub an RO bottle into the rotation depending on water testing.

It costs me like $25 every couple months for 40g water changes so probably could get away with like 1/2 that for a 20. Just an option if logic and budget permit.

I have a 5G and 3G jug. it costs me about $5 a month if I fill both twice in a month.