Switching Tanks

[Str8linespeed]

I will eventually be switching to a larger tank (probably by the new year). I'll be up sizing to a Red Sea Max 250 from a Max C130. My 130 has cycled and everything that is in that tank will be moving into the new tank.

I will have to add some base rock to the new tank which I plan on curing prior to putting it in the tank and I will have to add more live sand. The part Im unsure about is, will the new tank go thru cycles if Im using my original rock and some of the water from that tank?

 

[thegrun]

As long as the rock in the new tank has cycled you will not have a new cycle. You should not reuse your old sand, it could contain enough detritus to start a new cycle, rather use new dry sand washed well to remove any fines (dust). Reusing your old water will not have an effect on the cycle, but it is still a good idea to reuse as much clean water from the old system as possible to lessen the shock of the livestock going into water with different chemistry than what they are used to.

 

[davocean]

Yeah it's pretty common to double up in size on an upgrade and just swap everything over as long as your rock is established, that's where your beneficial life is mainly.
I also would use new dry sand, maybe a scoop of your old to seed it.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Thanks for the comments so far. I have to say that Im surprised about dry sand. I was going to pick up live sand for the new tank. Im guessing the purpose of the dry sand is so that it does not start a new cycle?

 

[Tspors58]

I did this from a 10 year old leaking 150g to 210.
Used new wet sand had no cycle. So yes either be sure all rock cured or add rock over time.
Sounds like your ready, have fun.
My filtration has always been in the basement I upgraded all it took about 12 hours and I'm to old to do the grunt work, that's what grown kids are for.

 

[Dmize]

interesting point on not using the old sand. I wouldn't have thought of that.

 

[Tspors58]

It's poison.

 

[davocean]

Thanks for the comments so far. I have to say that Im surprised about dry sand. I was going to pick up live sand for the new tank. Im guessing the purpose of the dry sand is so that it does not start a new cycle?

Shipped live sand often comes w/ dieoff that can actually cause cycle issues.
A scoop from your old will seed it fast, or some people may keep the top half inch of the old, that's where most of your sand life will be and w/out the funk from below