Switching tanks
- Thread starter Norman123
- Start date
whosurcaddie
New member
It all depends on how much build up of detritus you have in the sand and rock. I would personally chunk the sand and use fresh new sand.
You really shouldn't have a problem with the rock its the sand that would be more concerning.
You really shouldn't have a problem with the rock its the sand that would be more concerning.
Norman123
Member
Thanks for your advice. Tank #1 is a pristine 20G going into a 45G cube. It hasn't had fish for more than a few months.... Tank #2 is a problem tank full of atapsia that I've been trying to remove manually. I'm beginning to think that I should just nuke the thing. 
I'm pretty sure the atapsia resides in the sand as well... Maybe I will move the two clowns into my guarantine tank and put a peppermint shrimp into the atapsia tank first? Then dump the sand and move the rock only? Would that work?
I'm pretty sure the atapsia resides in the sand as well... Maybe I will move the two clowns into my guarantine tank and put a peppermint shrimp into the atapsia tank first? Then dump the sand and move the rock only? Would that work?
scooter31707
New member
I wouldn't use the sand depending how old it is.
Rubasu
New member
Here's how I moved my 20g to a 40b. I had to do it quickly as after moving my 20b over a bit, the filter died...
1. Put new sand into the 40b and put new saltwater in it (I did about 25g of new saltwater, matching my salinity to my 20g) - Wait until the temp got to normal before I went further.
2. Empty about 10g of water from the 20 into the 40.
3. Move 90% of the rock from the 20 into the 40. Now your fish should be swimming with just a little water / rock.
4. Wait an hour or so and test your new tank's water.
5. If the water is fine, put the stock into the new tank, then the rest of the water (given you were careful and didn't stir up the water too much...which I was)
6. Top off the new tank with some more new saltwater.
I had to add a bit more rock into my 40g, so I did that over the next month by only adding one rock at a time so I didn't send it into a cycle.
Hope that helps. Others can chime in if they want, I won't be offended. But that's how I did it because I had to move somewhat quickly... I did not lose any stock (3 fish, 2 corals) during the transfer. I tested a lot over the next week or so and never saw any ammonia or nitrites.
1. Put new sand into the 40b and put new saltwater in it (I did about 25g of new saltwater, matching my salinity to my 20g) - Wait until the temp got to normal before I went further.
2. Empty about 10g of water from the 20 into the 40.
3. Move 90% of the rock from the 20 into the 40. Now your fish should be swimming with just a little water / rock.
4. Wait an hour or so and test your new tank's water.
5. If the water is fine, put the stock into the new tank, then the rest of the water (given you were careful and didn't stir up the water too much...which I was)
6. Top off the new tank with some more new saltwater.
I had to add a bit more rock into my 40g, so I did that over the next month by only adding one rock at a time so I didn't send it into a cycle.
Hope that helps. Others can chime in if they want, I won't be offended. But that's how I did it because I had to move somewhat quickly... I did not lose any stock (3 fish, 2 corals) during the transfer. I tested a lot over the next week or so and never saw any ammonia or nitrites.
