Moving my 55gal into a 210gal...How Long to Consider 210gal Established?

[SkullV]

I am moving everything from my established 55gal (75gal system) to a 210gal (310gal system). I currently have around 80-100lbs of live rock/base rock mix total and will be adding another 100lbs of fully cured live rock and 60lbs immediately when I move everything over to the 210.

I was wondering how long I should wait to add any new livestock (and particularly RBTAs) to the system? Should I just act like it's a new cycle and continuously test?

 

[sasharotty]

Should I just act like it's a new cycle and continuously test?

Yes, i would if your question is about adding a rbta.

 

[SkullV]

Thanks for the info! I feel like I rushed into things when I set up my 55gal and want to make sure to take my time and set everything up right this time around!

 

[kmu]

It depends on what you mean by fully cured live rock...

I did last year a transfer from a 34g to a 70g, did you the same live rock didn't add any, but used new sand and just transferred a small amount of sand from the top 1/2" layer to seed the new one... I used 100% of the old water (was around 50% of the new system) and added new saltwater...

I did this in a day and didn't have any casualties.

I didn't have a cycle, algae bloom or anything.

I would recommend aggressive wet skimming.

 

[pelochas]

i have the same question about moving 75 gal tank to a 6 foot tank. i wonder what the cycle would be if im just moving the live stuff from one to another...all that would be new is the water i need to fill the larger tank.

what worries me is the live sand. moving sand releases a lot of stuff "good or bad" i dont know so i tend to want to "clean" it but already im thinking of the huge cloud of debris and trying to skim or filter that out.

where can i can some info on moving live sand?

 

[SkullV]

i have the same question about moving 75 gal tank to a 6 foot tank. i wonder what the cycle would be if im just moving the live stuff from one to another...all that would be new is the water i need to fill the larger tank.

what worries me is the live sand. moving sand releases a lot of stuff "good or bad" i dont know so i tend to want to "clean" it but already im thinking of the huge cloud of debris and trying to skim or filter that out.

where can i can some info on moving live sand?

Excellent question on the sand. The way I was planning on doing it was getting the fish into 5gal buckets with tank water while I get all the rest of the sand and water into the new tank. Then I was planning on giving everything a few hours to settle before I pump the rest of the new water in and add the livestock.

Anyone think that is a bad way to go?

 

[dancerscap]

Set up the new tank with some of the old sand and some of the old water, let the tank filter because the new tank will cloud badly. Filter like crazy 'til some clarity is regained then start to add livestock.

I did this from 55 to 145 with all new sand, water, lots of live rock and several fish. I cheated 'cause I used live sand. I tested as though it were a fresh set up and never got a cycle, just good readings.

Above all though I recommend going a little slower and get it set up before rushing in livestock.

 

[SkullV]

Set up the new tank with some of the old sand and some of the old water, let the tank filter because the new tank will cloud badly. Filter like crazy 'til some clarity is regained then start to add livestock.

I did this from 55 to 145 with all new sand, water, lots of live rock and several fish. I cheated 'cause I used live sand. I tested as though it were a fresh set up and never got a cycle, just good readings.

Above all though I recommend going a little slower and get it set up before rushing in livestock.

Hmmm, maybe let it filter for a few hours with some filter floss in the overflows and a filter bag in the sump? Just want the shortest time for my fish in buckets!

 

[potterjon]

I recently moved my 150, from one home to another, and it all went awry. In hindsight, I really wished that when I had upgraded from my 55 to my 150,t hree years ago, that I didn't use anything from my old setup. Of course, I had to use the rock and sand? didn't I? No. I should have just started over. All those years of phosphates building up and overfeeding and lack of maintenance, and lack of knowledge finally caught up with me. I would honestly consider starting your new tank as just that, a new tank. Take your time. While the new one is establishing with the new rock, you can cook your old rock and add it later. That is what I would do if finances allow for it.