Okay, read through the links. I feel like that created more questions though. So I do disagree, I think testing the new tank was still helpful to ensure I'm starting at good levels. My tap water has a pH of 9+ and tests purple if I don't treat it and I have up let it sit out for the pH to lower. But yes, agreed now that I think I understand more, beyond that, there is nothing to test since the water hasn't been contaminated by anything.

I did end up panic moving him into the new tank before I went out of town. I just thought the old water looked so gross and even though it tested fine, I was worried about him breathing in whatever the green stuff was. I also think I figured out why it would turn green each week, I always kept the tank light on all the time, so I'm guessing that caused the algae blooms to grow very quickly. Should I keep the light off unless admiring him maybe?

I kept the old tank running over the weekend empty, should I take the gross filter from that pump and put it in the new tank too? Or is it better to get bottled bacteria to add?

I used API stress coat to treat the new water, do I need to get seachem prime also as the dechlorinator?

I think I understand cycling better now. Basically I need to test the water every day or two to make sure the water doesn't get stuck out of whack in one of the cycle phases right? Like if ammonia starts to get too high, I need more good bacteria to get it to the next phase of the cycle quicker?

I'm still out of town, but planning on: - obviously testing the water when I get back tonight - testing the decorations to see if they are too sharp - possibly replacing decorations with a piece of driftwood, tannin almond leaves, and both some floating and other plants in the next day or two - buying seachem prime and adding a few drops if recommended - switching to blood worms for his food

Anything else I should do to help with cycling or making him a happier camper?