Safely Transferring Fish to a New Aquarium
When you are ready to purchase your first aquarium, one of the first things you learn is how to properly cycle the aquarium and how to slowly introduce new fish to avoid ammonia spikes while the colonies of beneficial bacteria are developing. That’s easy enough to follow — but what about when you have to move an existing community of fish to a new home? Maybe you moved and have to re-establish the aquarium, maybe you’re moving to a larger or even a smaller tank; whatever the reason, there are ways to safely move the fish without as much risk of ammonia spikes.
A properly cycled tank contains a healthy colony of bacteria that breaks down ammonia from a fish’s waste and uneaten food into nitrites and then into nitrates. In a healthy tank, there should be 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and less than 40ppm nitrates (20ppm if you have invertebrates such as snails or shrimp). Without sufficient amounts of beneficial bacteria, ammonia and nitrite in the water may be fatal to fish.
Beneficial bacteria live all through the water and on every underwater surface in the aquarium, but the water itself carries a very low concentration of bacteria so it’s not very effective to simply transfer water from the old aquarium to the new in order to maintain bacteria levels. Ideally, you will be able to transfer some old filter media to the new aquarium, or even a handful of gravel or fake plants that will all have beneficial bacteria on them. Make sure that the materials of your choice stay wet with tank water until they can be placed in the new aquarium.
Alternatively, if you have EcoBio-Block in your aquarium, that will be sufficient to switch over to the new one. EcoBio-Block has a lot of beneficial bacteria living in its volcanic rock and has quite a bit of surface area so a lot of additional bacteria get transferred over from the established tank. It is not necessary to keep EcoBio-Block wet, but it may help eliminate any minor ammonia spikes that may occur after the transfer as there will be more active bacteria immediately if kept wet. EcoBio-Block will also allow you to wait a little bit longer before doing the first water change as it provides essential minerals that would otherwise have to be replenished through water changes, giving the fish extra time to de-stress after a big move without being bothered.
Make sure not to put whatever bacteria-containing materials you’ve chosen into the new aquarium until a de-chlorinator has been used in the water as chlorine will kill the bacteria. Keep close tabs on the water parameters for the first week after the transfer, doing minor water changes as needed to compensate for any ammonia in the system that may not be compensated for by the bacteria yet. Watch the fish closely for any clamped fins or red, puffy gills as these may be signs that the water parameters are off. If these simple guidelines are followed your fish should have a relatively effortless and healthy move.
November 3, 2008 at 1:37 PM
February 5, 2009 at 11:16 AMJean
I want to transfer my fish from 29 gallon tank to 40 gallon tank. The 40 gallon tank currently has a 5″ pleco, which I intend to keep, and a 5 inch African Cichlid I will be giving away. Do I need to start new with the 40 gallon tank? Empty all water?
#25
February 5, 2009 at 12:42 PMArline
Hi Jean,
You shouldn’t start over again. Its a big shock to the fish’s system if its suddenly transferred to a completely different environment. You will have to check to see if the pH and the temperature are about the same in both tanks. If the temperature is not the same, you can put the fish that you are transferring in water from the old tank and stick them in a plastic bag and float it unopened for 30 minutes in the new tank. Then open the bag, rolling down the sides and let it sit in the water. Change 1/4 of the water in the bag with water in the new tank every 10 minutes for a half hour. That lets the temperature and pH change slowly.
When you do put the fish in the tank, feed the old fish first so that it won’t attack the newcomer and turn off the aquarium lights to reduce stress.
#26 | Website
June 7, 2010 at 6:33 AMrobinsingh
i want to know it is nessesary change accurium full water ………n how many days we change fish tank water ,,,,,
#158
June 8, 2010 at 9:44 PMAquarium Care
Hi,
You should never change the entire water in the aquarium. It will stress the fish. Depending on the condition of the tank, under normal circumstances you would change about 20 – 30% of the water every two weeks. If you have EcoBio-Block, you would not have to change the water so much. Just test it and monitor the water to make sure that it stays clear and healthy for your fish.
#159 | Author
July 8, 2010 at 5:26 PMmary sines
switching from 40gal to 75 gal tank,with fish,whats the best way to do this?
#160
July 8, 2010 at 8:47 PMAquarium Care
Put some gravel and filter media of the 45 gallon tank into the 75 gallon tank and add de-chlorinated water. Its a big shock to the fish’s system if its suddenly transferred to a completely different environment. Check to see if the pH and the temperature are about the same in both tanks. If the temperature is not the same, you can put the fish that you are transferring in water from the old tank and stick them in a plastic bag and float it unopened for 30 minutes in the new tank. Then open the bag, rolling down the sides and let it sit in the water. Change 1/4 of the water in the bag with water in the new tank every 10 minutes for a half hour. That lets the temperature and pH change slowly.
Turn off the aquarium lights to reduce stress. At this point, your new tank is going to cycle again and if you use EcoBio-Block (I recommend the Stone L), you can speed up the cycle and reduce the need for future water changes. Just be sure to monitor the levels in your tank.
#161 | Author
September 6, 2011 at 9:44 AMrussell b
I got a new tank 55 gal and I put two large fancy gold fish in them to help jump start the cycle of the new tank is what I did harmful to the fish and tank.
#259
November 26, 2011 at 12:48 PML. Silas
One of my neighbors have to move. He has a 55 gallon tank. Im the new owner. I want to transfer my fish to the big Tank. Is there anything special I need todo first?
Thanks
L. Silas
#282
November 29, 2011 at 10:53 AMAquarium Care
If you have gravel, move some of the gravel and your filter media to the new tank. You are basically starting a new tank, your tank will have to go through the cycling process. Don’t add all fish at a one time if possible. For a 55 gallon tank, EcoBio-Stone M (or L if you have a lot of fish) will speed up the cycling process and keep your tank clear, clean and healthy for about 2 years. Monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels and change about 20% of your water about once a week, until you finish cycles. After that, you can change water less often, just continue to monitor your chemical levels.
#284 | @282 | Author
January 1, 2012 at 12:00 PMColleen
I want to transfer my oscar to a 55gal from a 30gal, I will be transferring the biowheel filtration along with it and was wondering if i need to worry about the tank cycling again with just adding more water? Also, can I use saltwater T5 lights on a freshwater aquarium?
#294
January 1, 2012 at 10:15 PMAquarium Care
It’s possible that your tank may go through a mini cycle, because you will have nearly double the water amount.
Yes, you can use the saltwater T5 lights in your freshwater aquarium.
#295 | @294 | Author
March 11, 2012 at 4:40 AMTimothy
Hi, I got a 40 gallon tank and now i want to move up to 55 gallon, can I just transfer the water from old tank to new. Sorry I Don’t have to wait for cycle of a new tank? This is freshwater.
#320
March 11, 2012 at 4:41 AMTimothy
I mean so **** not sorry.
#321
March 13, 2012 at 8:46 PMAquarium Care
To help avoid new tank syndrome, you should move some of your gravel and your filter media to the new tank. You can then transfer some of the water from your old tank (you don’t have to transfer all of it). That will keep your pH levels from changing. Move your fish as you would if you were bringing them home from the store. Place in a plastic bag with water from the old tank. Place the bag in the water gently for about an hour and then slowly release the fish into the water. If you use an EcoBio-Block, (recommended size the EcoBio-Stone L), you will keep your fish tank clear, clean and healthy for your fish for up to 2 years.
#322 | @320 | Website | Author
April 3, 2012 at 12:31 PMSamuel Mclean
Helloo,
I would say im a fairly experienced fish keeper, however, I’ve never had to switch tanks. Infact, I have, and was very unsuccesful leaving all but 2 hardy white cloud minnows (which I still have now).
My current tank has been running for 1.5 years and looking to change from the current 48 litre to a 60 litre tank.
Was wondering, if I transferred all 48 litres to the 60 litre tank adding NO fresh water yet, and also transferring the current plantation ornaments, if this would be sufficient for the fish to survive?
Additionally, would it be neccesary to keep the old filter running in the new tank for a short duration?
Thanks in advance!
#331
April 3, 2012 at 5:59 PMAquarium Care
Yes, you can transfer the water from the 48 litre tank to the 60 litre tank plus if you have gravel, you should move as much as you can of that as well. You definitely should use the old filter in the new tank as it holds a lot of the beneficial bacteria which is what makes your tank’s cycle finish quickly.
If you use EcoBio-Block, you can help increase the activity of your bacteria and keep your tank clear, clean and healthy.
#332 | @331 | Website | Author
April 3, 2012 at 9:11 PMSamuel Mclean
Many thanks!
Really appreciate the help
Sam
#333
May 15, 2012 at 8:47 AMJosh
hello i am wanting to switch tanks. im currently using a 29 gallon and i have a 25 gallon tall. if i put everything from my old tank to my new tank do i have to do anything extra. will it be ok.
#401
Yesterday at 5:08 PMAquarium Care
Hi,
There should be no problem transferring what you have in your 29 gallon tank to an 25 gallon one. Of course, if you have EcoBio-Block you will reduce your maintenance and your fish will enjoy clear, clean, healthy water!
#402 | @401 | Website | Author