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I originally had a 10 gallon fish tank for my original. I then got a 20 gallon high. I kept the 10 gallon running with some fish. Then I decided I would let my brother take over the 10 since he wanted to and it would be less work for me. Today though he bought a 20 gallon extra high (20X). It is basically like two 10 gallon tanks stacked on top of each other.

So the 20x uses exactly the same power filter except I also added the extension piece to it which came with it. I never had that extension piece on while it was in the 10 gallon since it would make the part where the stuff gets sucked in way too long. So now with that extension piece, it goes down a little bit more than half way down the 20X. The 20x is also using exactly the same undergravel filter and air pump. It is also using exactly the same gravel, thermometer, and heater. He however bought a new tank top that is all glass and a brand new light that is far more powerful. It uses 96 watt compared to the previous 15 watt light that was on there before.

He took nearly all of the water from the 10 gallon and put that in the 20x. The filters still have the same filter media, plus a lot of the crap from the gravel. So the water was really cloudy but has cleared up a bit now. Most of the fish are staying at about the same place where they would be if it was a 10 gallon tank. Some times they venture a little higher. The marble hatchet (just 1, my brother has gone to 5 different stores now and they don't have them in stock) stays at the very top of the tank. So it is out of the way of the other fish. I suppose though the other fish such as the Black Neons will swim to the top when there is food. My brother also puts in sinking food too for the bottom feeders.

I'm a little bit worried about how this tank was setup, but I think it may be fine due to the same filter media being used, about 50% of the water in there is from the 10, and it has the same gravel and a lot of the crap stuff that was in the gravel. A few of the fish in there I originally bought but most of them my brother bought. Though I wouldn't be surprised if any died, but I hope not. I've only made about 20 minute or so observation of the tank

Any one have thoughts or suggestions?

Well it is hard to say about what the fish will do, however if you can give us a list of the fish in the tank, that will give us a better idea of how the fish will be in the tank.

As far as moving over the gravel, water, filter material etc, if it was done within about 30 mins the filter bacteria should be okay. The water and the old substrate will help.. You may go through a small cycle so keep an eye on the water params over the next few days and weeks.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Yeah it was done in that time so all the bacteria should be fine. I helped him with it to spend it up. Also right now the water is all clear again instead of being cloudy. Fish that are in that tank right now are:

*3 Skunk Cories
*3 Ringed loaches, these aren't listed on the site. These are very small loaches. Their head is smaller than than any of the other fish listed here.
*2 Apple Snails
*A bunch of little snails
*5 Black Neon Tetras
*1 Marble Hatchet
*4 Apistos of same species. They were all together in the same tank at the LFS. They never seemed aggressive to each other there nor in the 10 gallon.
*1 or 2 Cherry Shrimp. I havent seen the 2nd one, I don't know if my brother got him out or if he didn't
*4 ottos
*plants

The tanks nitrite and ammonia were always on the lowest reading back with the 10 gallon. And it will be even better though since there is more water and it does help somewhat more for fish swimming around compared to a 10 gallon though definitely not as much compared to a 20H or 20L tank.

Does any one out there besides my brother have a 20X tank?

Also yesterday I got a new all glass top for my 20 H tank and new light too. It is 130W with each light bulb being 65 watts. My fish look a lot better, especially my neon rainbows. The blue on them really reflects. Any ways does any one else have a 20X tank?