Old 20g Tank to New 40g breeder Tank transfer ?

[uf_gators]

ok got a new tank.... my question is, can I just move my LR, and 3 in sand bed all over to the new tank ? or do I have to do the whole cycle thing again ? my thoughts , were to move fish and inverts in a tub with existing tank water, and the rest of the tank water to new tank, and then scoop the substrate(sand) to new tank, and then LR. hook back up filtration, and add all back in. but I will have to add a 20 bag of live sand, and 20 gal of new salt water.

Going from 20 to 40 breeder... I wanted to ask before , I started. finishing stand for tank today. then do the move tomorrow, if all is a go.

 

[cee]

You should be fine but the sand bed may be a problem. They often trap hydrogen sulfide and when disturbed can cause problems. I've done it before but always rinse the sand in fresh water to remove detritus before adding. Obviously, this will kill the bacteria and pods in the sand but it will recover quickly. You won't need to cycle either.

 

[uf_gators]

Cool deal. so the bacteria, and pods will recover back quick, I guess where I will be adding the new live sand, huh ? or I could just do all new live sand , and not have to bother with the old right?

forgot to mention. the existing crushed coral/sand mix is been in the 20 since july. for the past 6 months. what is in the 20 now, and go to a 40 breeder.

20 Gal. Nano Reef Tank
Equip :

Fluval 205 Canister Filter - 110 GPH
Fluval E-Series Heater - 100W
Eshopps Protein Skimmer - PSK 75H
Aquatic Life 24" T5 HO 4-Lamp / Lunar
1 Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic +
1 Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic
2 LED's / Lunar
1 Giesemann Powerchrome Aqua Blue +
1 Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic
1 Hydor Koralia Nano 425 gph
1 Sicce Voyager 1 607 gph

Substrates:

Live Rock 7 lbs.
Calcium Carbonate Wht. Rock 4 lbs.
LiveSand 20 lbs.
Crushed Coral 10 lbs.

Marine Fish:

1 Yellow Tail Damsel
(Dory)
1 Ocellaris Clownfish
(Nemo)
1 Ocellaris Clownfish (tank-bred)
(Big Momma)
1 Sleeper Yellow Head Goby
(Jack)
1 Snowflake Eel (Echidna Nebulosa)

Invertebrates:

1 Nassarius Snail
5 Turban Snail
2 Red Leg Hermit Crabs
1 Emerald Crab
(Yoda)
1 Cleaner Shrimp (Jacques)
1 Brittle Starfish
(Mr. MIA)
2 Rock/Flower Anemones

Corals:

1 Xenia pulsating (Xenia Elongata)
1 Green Star Polyp
2 Zoanthus ( Eagle Eye) Polyp
1 Frogspawn (Euphyllia Divisa)
1 Branching Hammer
1 Galaxy
1 Yellow Toadstool Leather
1 Blue Mushroom Polyp
1 Elegance Coral ( Catalaphyllia jardinei )
1 Green Birdsnest Coral ( seriatopora guttatus )

TANK LEVELS:

SG - 1.026
PH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrate -5 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Temp - 80 F

 

[cee]

Only 7lbs. of rock? That could present a problem because much of your bacteria is caught up in your sand. I take it all back. You're likely to have another cycle when you switch.

 

[StephLionfish]

Snowflake Eels get way too big for a 40g... Also, that Damsel may become a bully.
I'd get more Nassarius snails. I have 10 baby ones in my 20g.

 

[uf_gators]

yep I know that , He will be moving to the 125 in the spring. he is just a baby right now, only 3-4 in long, and smaller than a #2 pencil...lol

I was thinking of getting some more of them but, the past few times ,I have been to the LFS ,they have not has any.