Over the weekend I found a deal on a 46 gallon bow front tank and stand that is brand new that I could not pass up. I am trying to decide if it is worth the hassle to upgrade my current tank to the 46 or if I am just going to kill everything in the process. The problem is the 46 must go where I have my current 29. This meaning I can't set the new tank up before taking the old tank down. I currently have a 29 gallon tank with 30lbs of live rock. I have 2 Ocellaris Clowns, a Royal Gramma, a Yellow Watchmen Goby, Fire Shrimp, and Peppermint Shrimp in addition to some snails and hermits. My current light I belive will be good for the new tank as long as I raise it a bit (Hobbie Bug Euphotica 120w LED). I do have a large Frogspawn and a zoa frag. I really don't want to mess up what I have going too bad and would be willing to just resell the 46 if I had to. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so tell me what it was like. Also, should I get new sand and water? I have heard mixed reviews. I have had my current tank, the 29 gallon, running for about 2 months now.
Possibly upgrading my 29 gallon...suggestions?
- Thread starter kgood323
- Start date
wpeterson
New member
I had the same problem and decided not to upgrade, because upgrading in place is such a huge hassle/risk. I ended up breaking the tank down due to a move and setup a nicer 90 gallon.
Otherwise, you will have to setup a third system that is cycled and safe to house your livestock while you breakdown the old system, setup the new system, and wait for it to cycle. Usually you can setup a 30 gallon brute or similar container to run things in temporarily.
Otherwise, you will have to setup a third system that is cycled and safe to house your livestock while you breakdown the old system, setup the new system, and wait for it to cycle. Usually you can setup a 30 gallon brute or similar container to run things in temporarily.
soulpatch
New member
I would merely throw in some marine pure media and let it seed then get a rubbermaid tub to put the current rock and livesotck in.
Put new tank in place, add new sand, put in old rock and add new rock if needed, put in fish and live stock and be done with it. The used rock and marine pure shoudl have enough bacteria to house your current bioload but you can do water changes as needed for the initial time.
Put new tank in place, add new sand, put in old rock and add new rock if needed, put in fish and live stock and be done with it. The used rock and marine pure shoudl have enough bacteria to house your current bioload but you can do water changes as needed for the initial time.
I have never heard of this media before but it looks like good stuff. You suggest just throwing some in the HOB filter for a few days prior to the move? Also do you think my light will be sufficient for the 46? I would raise it up a few more inches since the 46 is 6in longer then the 29. Thanks!
You will be fine to just upgrade. You can just get a large Rubbermaid ,like already mentioned, unload the 29 into it. Swap tanks around and then refill the new tank. You might have a mini cycle but you should be fine. Might want to just do a few water changes every few days to keep chemistry safe. I've done it twice and it worked out perfectly both times
stingeragent
New member
Agreed with salty. I have done this 3 times now in the last year. Drain water into a temp tub next to the tank. Move over the rock, coral, fish, get a powerhead and heater in there. Drain the rest of the tank to dispose of, keep a cup of the old sand, dump the rest, put new tank in place, new sand, fill it up about halfway with RODI (this is crucial, do not use tap), get a heater in the new tank, as well as powerheads, then start moving over the rock from the tub, fish , coral, and then use the water in the tub to make up the remaining in the DT. If you need to add a little more to get it to the very top, wait a day, and then top off the rest of the way with RODI. Sounds complicated but it's honestly super easy. You have to have a spare heater and powerhead for this to work. As for the euphotica 16" , I have 3 over my 125, the light spread covers 28 x 24 if I"m not mistaken. What is the width of the 46? You will prolly need 2. If you go off the 28in spread, the par values on the corner are almost 0 so not useable. Raising the light higher doesn't improve this any. It may cover a larger area visibly, but your par will go down across the whole thing the higher you move the light up.
Edit: When filling the new tank halfway with water, I meant saltwater, not just RODI. That was a given but just wanted to clarify,lol.
Edit: When filling the new tank halfway with water, I meant saltwater, not just RODI. That was a given but just wanted to clarify,lol.
