40 gal upgrade

Question
QUESTION: I am currently  upgrading from a 4 gal tank to a 40 gal tank . I am still in the establishment phase of the 40gal, (just filled it with gravel/water yesterday, external hang on power filter  and Heater set to 27)
         (L=92cm. h=46cm w=36cm).

I have 2 red eyes, 2 serpeas , 2 black tetras and 1 catfish in the 4 gal tank, (started 8 months ago)

Q1:How long should I wait before I add fish?

Q2: How many more fish can I add to the existing stock to suite 40gal tank?( 1 have seen 1 inch per gallon, sometimes 1 inch per 2 gallons)?

Q3 What other fish are compatabile with these tetras?

Q4 Do I have to increase the current schools/species to 6 each for them to be healthy in a larger tank?

Q5.Any food suggestions? I have just been feeding them flakes once a day, just to keep the ammonia levels down initailly, (as suggested from the local store?)

Q6:I am considering live plants in the 40cal tank, any suggestions? as I haven't established plants before...or should I establish the fish first?

Thanks in advance

ANSWER: First off, congratulations on the upgrade.

A1. If you have a filter running on your 4g, take that out of the 4g and put it into the new 40g. What this does is transfer all the BB (Beneficial Bacteria) currently housed in your 4g into your 40g. Basically once a tank has cycled, all the BB is housed in the filter, some in gravel but mainly in the filter and by placing an "established" filter into your new tank you will be going a long way to establishing your new 40g alot quicker. If you can't do this, put the 2 red eyes, 2 serpeas and 2 black tetras into your new 40g and leave them for say a week or two and in that time, go and get your water tested at your LFS, they will be able to tell you what a safe time is to add your catfish.

A2. Stocking really depends on the type of fish you want to put into your tank.

A3.Most community fish will go with your tetras but you need to be aware that black tetras can be fin nippers so steer clear of anything with trailing fins.

A4. There is easily room in your new tank to increase each type of Tetra to a school or 6, more if you wish.

A5. Feeding them once a day is perfect, fish don't have the ability to register when they are "full" so most fish will eat as much as you are willing to feed them. As for flakes, that is fine to feed them as long as it is a good quality one.

A6. Plants are fine to put into your tank now, they will actually help to take out the nitrates that your "cycle" will end with. You must be remember though that to survive, plants need light, so you will need a light on your tank and it will need to be on for between 6 to 7 hours a day.

One last thing, turn your temp down, for general community fish, your heater should be set on between 24 to 26 degrees!

Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again for the great advise,
I am considering stocking the 40g(including what I have already) with:
6 red eyes,
6 serpeas,
6 black widows ,
5 Zebra danios
3 silver dollars,and
another cat fish,
 maybe some short finned Mollies/platties, I may be overpopulating the Tank? Any thoughts/suggestions are these fish compatable?

Could you suggest a good plant that a silver dollar will not uproot, ( I read they are proned for such behavior)and the Tetra's will enjoy.

Thanks again, you have been a great help. Is there any Way I could help to improve your services?

Answer
No you are not over populating your tank but I would steer clear of the Silver Dollars, they will just get too big for your tank. As they can be very skittish fish, they need ample swimming space and unfortunately a 40g tank wouldn't give them that.

The rest of the fish are compatable.