Best way to do a break-down...

[oneradtek202]

so i am thinking and leaning more towards re-doing my 100 gallon display tank. i just need some ideas of how im going to go about this process.

i have a 100 gallon display connected to my basement sump (55 gallon) also hooked into the sump is my 40B tank that is up for frags and my 10 gallon refugium.

So i was thinking come november ill take a start selling off my colonies that i will not be keeping, which will mainly be everything except a few pieces. and once everything is removed that i am not keeping i will drain the 100 gallon tank and take it "offline" while still keeping the refugium and 40B running downstairs. it will be a tight squeeze for a week or so, but i will then keep my 12 fish in the 40B or some nice fellow reefers spare tank for a few days. i also might try to borrow a rubbermaid 100 gallon bin with a light over it. and the skimmer sitting in it.

once drained i will take and remove the rock from the tank. i will then cheery pick pieces that are still somewhat clean from macro and SPS junk and put that aside in the 40B and sump for the time being. I will be removing though a majority of rock and will be putting it up for sale for dirt cheap. i will take the sand out and disconnect plumbing and bring the tank outside for a scrub and scrape down.

ill put the tank back on the stand and put new aragonite in the tank and put some new/some old rock back into 2 very separate and a lot smaller islands. fill the tank with about 60 -70 gallons new water and ill keep some original water mixing incase i need to top off. ill then turn the system back online and wait a week or so and test to make sure any small cycle is over with. then restock the tank.

i need ideas

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Cant give you any pointers but i will definitely follow this thread so i can steal some ideas for my 120 upgrade.

 

[hotshot619]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=205722&pid=2375343&st=0&#entry2375343


I found this helpful. I have now moved 3 tanks 46 gallons + and had mostly all success. Key is to plan out every step, keeps lots of extra buckets, towels ect in case something doesn't go to plan. Never had or moved a take as big as what you are planning but I figure its just a longer process. Best of luck

 

[oneradtek202]

thanks for the post, but im not moving my tank, im breaking it down and re-setting it

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Sounds like a solid plan. I'd get the rubbermaid and set it up on the basement, temporarily setting up plumbing to it so you have plenty of time and space to tinker with what you want to do.

 

[tmz]

Just did this for 2 frag/ grow tanks and a seahorse tank. I used replacement tanks but could have reused the old ones within two days.
I'd refill the tank with tap water and then add a gallon of muriatic acid(37% hydrochloric acid) for an overnight soak. Lowes has it for about $8. Careful with it ,it can burn you and the fumes are also harmful. Best to do it outside. After the overnight soak , empty it onto the patio or a drain with a pump and a hose. The acid should neutralize mostly anyway overnight as it melts/reacts with the alkaline calcium carbonate in the coraline etc. but I be prepared to use a pump to drain it rather than putting my hands in there or trying to suck a siphon. Hose it out and wipe it with some of that blue pad algae or something similar. It will come crystal clean without much scraping and scratching. Any residual spots can be soaked with a paper towel soaked in vinegar for an hour or so and then wiped or scraped.
If you are moving your fish to a new bin or tank put some of the old live rock( keep it wet), in there to help fend off ammonia. Use the tank water to fill the tank in this case. The rock should give you a cycled enviroment. Rinse the rock off in tank water in a bucket first to get rid of any gunk.. Give the fish some resting spots. . Chunks of pvc work.Test for ammonia and keep some ammolock, amquell or another ammonia detoxifier on hand just in case. I'd try to give the fish more room than less if possible but I have extra tanks lying around.Bins will do. A hang on the back filter if you have one with some gac in it will help too. Otherwise, a powerhead or airstone for oxygenation should do ok.You may need some heat but not much light. If you put a heater in plastic bin,I'd fret it might burn through. Lying a submersible heater inside a piece of pvc works.

When you take the 100 g off line and the live rock too, a good portion of the bacteria( biofilter ) goes with it so watch the system for ammonia.

Focus on securing your animals in a sustaining low stress environment first , allowing yourself some time to clean and reset. Things always seem to take longer than I plan.

Good luck.