Changing substrate

[stagerlee]

I'm bumping up one of my tanks from 10 to 20 gal. I'm thinking of changing from pool filter sand to black sand. Even though I have let the bio wheel for the new filter soak in the existing tank and going to use some of the water from old to new tank would I be losing to much of the beneficial bacteria by changing the substrate?

 

[flitabout]

You will lose some but you should be fine. I would just run the old filter on the new tank for a couple of weeks until the new filter has time to build up bb in it.

 

[mrvincent]

For quick cycling the new tank, just put the old filter to the new tank. Cycle established, boom.

Wait for 2-3 weeks for the new filter to cycle.
Wait 2-3 weeks before adding new fishs, as your cycled filter is cycled for the load that was in your 10g.

 

[wildroseofky]

As long as you are using the same filter and it is already cycled, the tank should be instantly cycled. Not that much bacteria is in the substrate. Most of it is in the filter.

 

[stagerlee]

Thanks everyone , I appreciate your help. I think I'll run both filters at the same time for a week or so