Can I temporarily run a smaller filter on a bigger tank?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank set up and want to upgrade to a 25 gallon tank. I want to move over my current fish and driftwood etc.

I'm having a real problem with the filter that came with the 25 gallon tank and was wondering if I could use the filter from my 10 gallon on the new tank (with the same fish I have in there) until next week when I can go get a new filter [I work friday-sunday and won't be able to get to the store]. I feel like doing this might help jump start the cycle on the new tank as well.

Would the fish do alright with the same filter?

I only have a rubbernose pleco (only about 2 inches currently), 2 African Dwarf Frogs and a betta fish. I won't add new fish to the aquarium until it's properly set up with a good filter and established, of course.

Answer 1

I would say any filter is better then no filter :) they should all be fine and happy

Answer 2

you need fish in the aquarium to get the filter established. A tank does not cycle without fish.

Unless you intend to keep the 10 gallon operating, I'd dump most of the old water in the new tank,

all the fish,

rinse the gravel slightly and throw it in,

put in your decorations,

and top off the tank with room temperature dechlorinated water

and fire up the filter without cleaning it after a bit of the cloudiness settles.

If you think that this process will take longer than a half hour, put the dirty filter material in the tank with the old water, to keep the helpful bacteria alive. Make sure you've set the heater properly. If you have an air pump, use it because the smaller filter won't be moving the water in the bigger tank around enough.

That's about it.

Underfeed for a few weeks till the new tank is stabilized.

When you add the new filter, run both for a while, maybe two weeks, till the new one is loaded up with good bacteria. As long as the tank isn't having cloudy periods, you're ok to buy new fish.

If you want to re-set up the 10 gallon. Just do the opposite.

Take some dirty water out of the big tank when you do a water change, put it in the 10, top off the tank with new water, fire up the filter with it's mostly dirty filter material, adjust the heater, and it's good to add fish.

Use dirty tank water to clean your filter material and you'll keep the biology more active in the filter and have more stable water quality. Always remember that small water changes more often are always safer than big water changes. But no water changes is always bad.

Answer 3

Yes that will work fine.



The filter size depends mostly on the amount of fish it needs to support, not just the tank size. Of course bigger tanks generally house more or bigger fish, so they need bigger filters. However if you put a small filter on a large tank, but only add a few fish, it will be OK.



Then you can add the new larger filter later, and continue to run both for a few weeks.



Then it will be safe to move the 10gal filter back to the smaller tank and use that as a quarantine tank for the new fish you plan to get.



Ian

Answer 4

Yes, you can. Because you aren't adding any fish until you get a better filter, it will be fine. The filter should be able to handle your current fish. Also, it will help jump-start the cycle. I used a filter from my 10 gallon to cycle my 20 gallon and it took about a week.

Answer 5

Yes, but you should understand that you run the risk of losing the cycle bacteria when you make the switch. Try to incorporate some of the old filter material into the new system and reduce the amount and frequency of feedings, or perhaps stop altogether,it won't harm the fish.

Answer 6

Yes, you can do that.

In fact, it's a good idea to run the old filter on the new tank until the new filter has "cycled." Maybe for the first month.

Answer 7

I even have had fishes, and that they say which you would be able to desire to get a filter out a similar liter length as your tank. The little filter out will in user-friendly terms clean that quantity of water, and additionally you possibly do no longer desire your beautiful wittle goldfish to die... i've got had adventure. additionally, you tank could be particularly massive on your goldfish! you in user-friendly terms desire approximately 15 liters for one goldfiish to stay in, and your fortunate goldfish would be residing the severe existence! good luck and desire he/she survives long! P.S. i've got had my goldfish for 3 years! Edit: I on no account reported the tank grew to become into too massive for the goldfish, I merely reported that he/she is fortunate to have a huge one to swim around in! Edit: additionally, FYI, my goldfish this is residing for 3 years is at the instant in a one hundred liter tank, that's proper! :) :) :) Edit: PetCo has a great form of excellent filters, tanks, nutrients, water conditioners, and decorations, so I advise paying for them there.

Answer 8

It will be fine.