Recycle?

[thedasher]

Hey guys I'm about to upgrade to a 125 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump and will transfer my water from my current tank. I have about 90 gallons of water in my current tank that's already cycled. If I upgrade to the tank will the water cycle again because of how much new uncycled water I'm adding? And will it be safe to add all my corals and fish or will they die?
Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The water itself doesn't cycle. It is the rocks and filters and such that get bacteria on them that "cycles". Are you moving the old rocks, sand etc?

That said, the old water will bring in some bacteria that will colonize the new filters in the new tank and may speed the cycle relative to starting with new salt water.

 

[thedasher]

Yah I'm moving the rocks too

 

[thegrun]

Assuming you will be adding more rock to the new tank it would be best to cycle the new rock in a separate container like a Brute trash can before you make the move.

 

[reefwars]

Yah I'm moving the rocks too

try to minimize the amount of sand, debris that is kicked up when taking the old rocks out once you get to the base rocks as well not to leave them out of water for any lengthly period of time.

any cycle you see will be created by the amount of die off you create, you may see none at all if done right and the system was healthy to begin with.

i would get new sand as well unless rinsing sand for hours is fun lol

good luck