Quickest Way to Start up a 20 Gallon Tank

[Scooper]

I've recently decided to start up a 20 gallon tank and move my fish into it. I was wondering what was the quickest method and the order in which to move the fish. In my 10 gallon I have:
-A filtration system that has been running for over a year(I saw that might be useful)
-Sand
-3 Khuli Loaches(I plan on getting more)
-2 Platys
-2 Cherry Barbs (again I'll get more)
-3 Dwarf Corys
-2 Kribs (one male,one female)

Any suggestions?

 

[seastaar88]

Are you breaking down your 10g in the process - or are you going to keep both running?

The 20g will still need to be cycled, but it will go much faster by using the sand and the filtration media from your 10g.

If it were me, I'd set up the 20g and put some sand in the 20g (in the food end of pantyhose if you didn't want that specific substrate in the 20g) and move some filtration media into the filter for the 20g. This will speed up the cycle by using established bacteria to colonize the new tank.

 

[chrispar0323]

i wouldnt plan on adding any livestock to your 20 cause you already have quite the bioload going on maybe maybe you could add more barbs but no more loaches are needed

 

[seastaar88]

At least wait until the 20g is fully cycled and established before intruducing any additional fish.

 

[Scooper]

I plan on taking the sand and possibly the fake plants out of the 10 gallon permanently and using the filter to speed up the cycle. an anyone give me directions on what to do? I'm new to keeping fish so I'm not sure how to do this.

 

[RexyTexel]

All you need to do is either take the 10 gallons filter cartridge out and place it inside the filter of the 20 gallon or just take the 10 gallon filter off and hook it onto the 20. Since you still have fish in your 10 gallon option number two isn't really smart. As far as transfering sand just use pantyhose like stated above me or place it in a small plastic cup and set it in the filled 20 gallon. Make sure the water is de-chlorinated first. Otherwise that'll kill your bacteria

 

[Scooper]

Ok. So now my only question is when could I transfer my fish? Should I still wait a couple of weeks?

 

[homebunnyj]

No, no, you transfer the fish immediately. If the bacteria don't have fish waste to eat, they die. So you move the sand and filter media and the fish at the same time. Make sure the water temp is the same. Then just test the ammonia every day or so for a while until it stays consistently at zero.

 

[willhunsaker]

i aggree with homebunnyj compleatly

 

[Scooper]

Ok I'll try all this once I get my tank. If anyone else has advice it will be appreciated.

 

[Scooper]

Ok I've filled my tank with dechlorinated water,have the filter and heater running for a few hours, now what? Should I move the sand and fish now? Or should I plant it tonight and move them tomorrow?