Planning the move!

[Big Dog]

After a 12 year hiatus, I'm getting back into a reef. I purchased a established tank and am planning to move it 2 weeks from today. I'm putting it in a my new shop/garage.The system specs included....... 90 gallon tank, custom built oak cabinet/hood, 30 gallon refugium, Current USA Prime Chiller, Outer Orbit HQI/T5 high output light fixture, Aqua UV 15W sterilizer, ASM G1X protein skimmer, and numerous pumps. The stock all healthy (large purple tang, 4 yellows tangs, splendid dotty back, purple dotty back, large maroon clown, six line wrasse, sailfin blenny, large goby, 3 chromi, eibli dwarf angel), coral (6 assorted), 100's of inverts (snails, crabs) and 100 lbs of LR BUT it has some aiptasia.

I've pretty much decided to purchase live rock and quarantine the rock presently in the tank or maybe just cook it. BTW, anyone have about a 40 they want to sell or part with for a quarantine tank? ..... :spin3:

I'm pretty sure I have a good plan but my major concern right now is the sand. I've researched numerous threads and some say keep and rinse and some say new using some of the old for seed. What's your thoughts?

I'm sure it's going to be a big day so I'm lining up the help now. The current owner is going to assist so that will definitely be an asset. If you ain't doing anything I'll have lots of refreshment ...... :hmm5: Throwing it out there, I'd be willing to contribute to your troubles if your really interested!

Thanks in advance for your input!

Dawg

 

[vr697getta]

when i did my last move i got new sand and got a few cups from local members to help seed. when the time comes i can give you a cup if you go that route.

 

[Raceimage]

Shoot me a pm when you plan on moving the system. I live in Freeport and may have some time available. I probably have a few empty salt buckets with screw on lids to move livestock also.

Gary

 

[cloakerpoked]

I've done it all 3 ways, and the new sand process was the easiest. that said, since you have to rinse it also, it's not a ton easier than using the old sand, except you can have it done and ready to go before you start setting up the new tank.

 

[Big Dog]

Shoot me a pm when you plan on moving the system. I live in Freeport and may have some time available. I probably have a few empty salt buckets with screw on lids to move livestock also.

Gary

Thanks Gary, I'll keep you in mind! By the looks of your systems I think I could learn something!

I've done it all 3 ways, and the new sand process was the easiest. that said, since you have to rinse it also, it's not a ton easier than using the old sand, except you can have it done and ready to go before you start setting up the new tank.

Appreciated!

 

[Big Dog]

The count down to Friday starts. Secured a heated panel van and got the replacement LR, the wife picked up some nice pieces. Got plenty of buckets and Sterilite containers. I continue to make water ....... :thumbsup:

Gonna be a busy day, wish us luck!

 

[AHDOnline]

hope your move went well!

welcome back to reefkeeping. If you need post move help let me know (yeah i show up after the hard work is done)

 

[Big Dog]

Went great, we used as much of the water from the tank as possible, I ended up adding 35 gallon of fresh saltwater using RO water. The rock was replaced with new cured rock that has been in holding for 2 weeks. The original rock is in quarantine due to aiptasia outbreak. The refugium stayed wet. I did one rinse of the sand with original tank water. Replaced 40 pounds of sand with well rinsed new sand (on the bottom). All stock is lively and eating, currently no signs of stress. In a bit of cycle but I'm think it will be alright. Going to do a water change tomorrow.

Readings are as follows ..........

Salinity - 1.024
Temp - 76F
Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - .25
Nitrate - 20
Phos - .25
Alk - 2.6
Ca - 450

We found a 6 line wrasse the original owner lost track of in the over flow, looked pathetic and he even appears to be recovering in the refugium. Stock includes ........

1 - Large purple tang
4 - Yellow tang
3 - Chromis damsels
1 - Tamar goby
1 - 6 line wrasse (actually 2, found one the original owner lost track of in the over flow. He looked pathetic but he's in quarantine and appears to be doing much better. He may make it!)
1- Elbi angel
1 - Large maroon clown
4 - Peppermint shrimp
1 - Large banded coral shrimp
Snails and crabs, too many to keep track of .....

5 soft corals and 1 hard coral - don't ask me, I haven't investigated that far.

 

[cloakerpoked]

How big is that tank? I can't believe that you are keeping 5 tangs with similar body shapes and they aren't beating on each other. Either way, it's a sharp looking system, and I hope that everything continues to do well. You'll need to keep doing those water changes to make sure that your ammonia and nitrites don't become toxic. Nitrite can be especially dangerous.

 

[Big Dog]

90 gallons and the tangs do fine. They have been together for quite some time per the original owner. I didn't have much choice bringing the stock along ....

 

[Big Dog]

4 months later ................ :spin3:

I removed the 4 yellow tangs and the 3 chromis. Livestock down to 7 inhabitants, nitrates not 0 but under 5 ............. . I got some more rock in after cleaning the majanos and aip off from the original rock. Starting to move more of the corals from the 40 to this one.

 

[BBoley24]

Looking much better! I have some frags for ya if you want some!

 

[Big Dog]

Thank you ...... Going to the meeting next Saturday?