I would move him to the 10 gallon as soon as possible.  The larger water volume will give you a lot more flexibility.

Put fresh conditioned water into the new tank and adjust the temperature so it's about the same as the temperature in the 2 gallon, then transfer all the water, gravel, and filter material to the new 10 gallon.  The new tank may go through a mini-cycle or even skip it altogether if there is enough beneficial bacterial from the old tank.  Monitor the water parameters carefully for a few weeks to make sure everything is fine.

Thanks to both of you.  What would I do without people like you.     Your advice is so helpful, and I'm grateful that you monitor this forum.

I can pick up the "Stability" tomorrow, and will get it set up and transfer him over the next couple of days.  I'll update you as it progresses.  Hopefully with all good news.

Thanks 

Yes, using old water from an already cycled system is a really great way to help the cycling process! I did it everytime so far!

Oh, and in case you're worrying about shocking your fish, you could move him with a plastic bag (like when you buy a new fish!). Put the bag (with old tank water) into the new tank, and let him get used to the temp. After about half an hour you could pour in a cup of water from the new system and let him out after repeating the process about 2-3 times That way, you can be sure that he'll be getting used to the water safely!

Hi, I'm ready to do these steps today, but the 2-gallon's water quality is extremely poor.  So I just took about 1 ounce of it and put that into the new tank and started the filter.

Captain is still in the poor water, but I diluted it with some fresh water.  He's fine, but he must be a really tough fish. 

I am on my way to the store to pick up some live plants and "Stability".

Should I still follow the steps that you both have outlined, or does the fact that the water quality is really poord change it?

How is the water quality? How are the exact readings?

If there is nitrogens then I wouldn't use it, but I'd use some filter media to speed up the cycle and add PLENTY of Stability into the new water. The bacteria will settle in the filter and substrate.

All the test readings are lousy.  Exactly opposite of what they should be.  Nitrites and nitrates really high.  Hardness, alkalinity, and pH are low.

My regular tap water has optimal conditions.  It's pretty hard, alkalinity about 180, pH about 7.8.

So maybe I should keep changing a portion of his 2 gallon tank, at least until the hardness, alkalinity, and pH are closer to normal.

I have read that if they are living in high nitrates, and you put them in low nitrates, that the shock will hurt them.  So not sure what to do with that.

I set up the new tank yesterday.  I put 1 ounce of the poor water into the new tank, and the recommended dose of 'Stability' to aid in avoiding new tank syndrome.  I also conditioned the water for chlorine as usual. 

The 'Stability' bottle says to add some every day for 7 days, so I will be doing that.  I can add the fish at any time tho.

Today I moved 1 small decoration from the old tank into the new tank. 

Captain is still in the old tank.  He is honestly doing fine; he must have some really strong anti-bodies.  I am also changing out part of the old tank water and filling it with fresh water to bring the pH levels and alkalinity back to normal, etc..  I have done this water change 3 times since yesterday afternoon.  I tested the old water again today, and the levels are much safer.  The alkalinity is still too low.  The other readings are back in the safe zone.

I am trying to be really careful here.  I still need you guys to help me, if you have advice.  But even though the new tank is more spacious and prettier, this fish is still very healthy and I don't think it's critical that he be moved right away.  I'd rather take a little time (maybe another day or two) just to be 100% sure that this is going to be a successful move.

On the other hand, he IS used to being dumped out of a dirty tank, and put into completely fresh water about once a month (for 6 years), so maybe he's used to it.

I don't know.  Maybe I'm trying to make it too perfect?  I am kind of nervous tho.  My daughter's out of town, so this is completely up to me. 

She won this fish at the fish races while she was in college (not that I condone that), and he was the champion of the night.  He won about 4 races that night.   

Sounds good so far! And I agree, if you can keep the levels in the old tank somewhat acceptable, it's better to wait a bit with moving the fish. Just so that the new tank will get as far as it can in the cycle. So just keep doing what you're doing, keep an eye on the water quality in both tanks, and keep doing small water changes in the 2 gal.
As far as I know, the biggest shock for your fish would be the difference in pH, fish react on just one level's difference, so the bag method might help him get used to it more gradually.

It's cool that he has survived in such a small place for 6 years! That's quite impressive

Hi.  I couldn't wait any more, Captain is in his new home!  The pH and alkalinity were closely matched between the 2 tanks. 

I did a combination of everything listed in this post.  I didn't float a bag because the temperatures were the same.  But I did something similar:  I filled a plastic container with 1/2 old water, and 1/2 new tank water, and let him swim around in there for 1/2 hour.

Then I put all of that container into the new tank.

He's having fun exploring and showing off in front of me. 

If there are problems with the water differences, will they show up right away?  Or could it take a few days?

Wow, well done Summer Time, cannot say much more than Nossie did, only asking you: can you post pics ?

... sorry... but I love pics...

Awww aren't they beautiful, just so sorry for Orchid 

That's really cool that you buy sick fish and help them get well. 

My daughter's fish is doing very well in his new tank.  There was a slight ammonia reading when I tested, so I did a water change. 


My daughter is now wondering... since she's had this fish for about 6 years and he's always lived alone, could she get another goldfish, or would he have problems with another fish in his tank?

Hi.  This tank is now completely cycled, as of yesterday.  That's means it only took about 3 weeks!  Probably because of the 'Stability'.

Thanks for everyone's input.  He is loving his new home; I'm sure he's already forgotten his old one. 

I'm glad everything went so well! I bet he'll be very happy in his new place