I have had a 47 gallon fresh water tank for about 3 years and have recently bought a 63 gallon tank. I want to transfer everything from the old tank into the new one but I've never done anything like this before and I'm not sure how to do it.
The new tank has new gravel, a stronger light and and a more powerful heater.
The old tank has a good eheim filter, about 20 platys, 6 neon tetras and four male guppies. That is all I really want to transfer, apart from the plants and water (and ornaments if needs be). I don't want to put the old gravel into the new tank.
My old filter is the right size for the new tank but I was wondering if I need to let the filter run in the new tank before transferring the fish. Or can I just transfer everything all at once and top up with fresh water?
I'm also a bit worried about the pH - does it need to be exactly the same in the new tank before I transfer the fish over?
I consider myself a complete novice and I get confused when people start going on about co2 and nitrates etc, so if someone can give me a simple step-by-step guide I would be very grateful.
Also, I'm in New Zealand so I don't have a lot of the same brands and pet stores that you might have in the US or the UK.
Thanks in advance
The new tank has new gravel, a stronger light and and a more powerful heater.
The old tank has a good eheim filter, about 20 platys, 6 neon tetras and four male guppies. That is all I really want to transfer, apart from the plants and water (and ornaments if needs be). I don't want to put the old gravel into the new tank.
My old filter is the right size for the new tank but I was wondering if I need to let the filter run in the new tank before transferring the fish. Or can I just transfer everything all at once and top up with fresh water?
I'm also a bit worried about the pH - does it need to be exactly the same in the new tank before I transfer the fish over?
I consider myself a complete novice and I get confused when people start going on about co2 and nitrates etc, so if someone can give me a simple step-by-step guide I would be very grateful.
Also, I'm in New Zealand so I don't have a lot of the same brands and pet stores that you might have in the US or the UK.
Thanks in advance