We are upgrading from a 5 gallon tank to a 20 gallon tank. Our plan is to move the 2 guppies and 3-4 ghost shrimp, along with most of the decor over to the new tank (while adding some new), completely taking down the 5 gallon. Then once we are established, add some new residents to the tank.
Rather than start a full cycle from the beginning, can I transfer the water from our 5 gallon into the new tank and treat is like a really big water change? Will the nitrogen/bacteria levels from my old tank be enough to skip the normal cycling process? It would be ideal for us space-wise not to need to have both set up for too long and I thought I remembered from way back when I set the 5 gallon up 2 years ago that this was an option to speed up cycling.
Rather than start a full cycle from the beginning, can I transfer the water from our 5 gallon into the new tank and treat is like a really big water change? Will the nitrogen/bacteria levels from my old tank be enough to skip the normal cycling process? It would be ideal for us space-wise not to need to have both set up for too long and I thought I remembered from way back when I set the 5 gallon up 2 years ago that this was an option to speed up cycling.