Need advice on tank swap

[LiquidCache]

So, I recently got a sweet deal on another 75, and it's in much better shape than mine is, and i'd like to use it instead of my current one. I only have one fish, and about 7 different corals. The tank was only set up about two months ago.. I've thought about doing it a dozen different ways, but can't come up with a solution other than this one that sounds safe. I'd like to know if anyone has any advice here.

I've got a spare 46 gallon bow front in the garage. Clean it, take water from my current tank, and fill it halfway or so, then transfer the corals and fish, put them in there with a power head and heater while I drain the rest of the water from my display, get all the sand moved into buckets, and then do the hardware swap. Then from there it kind of gets fuzzy. If I fill it with completely new water, would I have to cycle the tank all over again? When I drain the first tank should I save the water to put it back into the new tank?

My main concern would be starting another cycle and killing everything. I've heard of people stirring up their sand and starting another cycle inadvertently.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[robthorn]

Sounds like a good.plan. Leave everything in the bowfront until the 75 tests properly.

 

[Vorog]

I am so glad someone asked this question. I too have been toying with the idea of upgrading from my current tank (46 bow front) to a 90 gallon. And since I'll be adding more rock and sand. I was wondering the best way to go about it. I was planning on doing what you said. Put the fish in a spare tank with my DT water. Then let the 90 cycle again. And add fish and coral after it cycles.

 

[LiquidCache]

Honestly thought how long could it stay in the spare tank? A week? Two? What happens if my new tanks ammonia levels haven't dropped by then? Assuming it would start another cycle of course.

 

[Vorog]

I think that all depends on the setup. Every tank is different. I know my 46 didn't take very long at all. With the 1lb per gallon rule of thumb. The live rock I bought had a lot of die off, so it cycled fast. I would just be safe and test every other day. Try to prepare a spare tank setup that will run for a few weeks. And if the tank cycles fast then you are good to go. If not then you planned on the fish and coral to be in a spare tank for a bit away. If that answers your question.

 

[LiquidCache]

Hm. Okay. That's kind of what I figured, but I was concerned with filtration of the spare tank over the course of a few weeks.. It's not a drilled tank, and I only have one of those small waterfall style hang on back filters spare..

 

[Vorog]

Yeah that's what I meant by planning on a tank running for a few weeks/month. Might have to get a hob spare filter for time being.

 

[blindskater02]

Are you just swapping the tank or all of the equipment as well?

 

[LiquidCache]

All the equipment too. I got a deal I couldn't pass up on this setup.

 

[hoohoohdillyo]

Honestly thought how long could it stay in the spare tank? A week? Two? What happens if my new tanks ammonia levels haven't dropped by then? Assuming it would start another cycle of course.

You won't have any rock or substrate in the spare tank so you won't have a spike at all in there. It could stay in there indefinitely if you continue to do water changes as well as feed and supply light as normal.

With the new tank "swap" you might have a light spike from stirring up the sand, but as you said the old tank is only 2 months old so the amount of crap in the sand should be VERY low. More than likely wouldn't kill anything if you just did a tank swap, but hey you have the spare, so use it and play it safe. Test levels in the temp tank everyday and check the new tank every couple of days at maximum and you should be just fine. Good luck with the swap and congrats on the new tank.

 

[LiquidCache]

Thanks guys, you've put my mind at ease about this. I think i'll go pick up some more vinegar and plan the swap for later this week.