switching to bigger tank?

[OrangeKoi]

Ok, so after a year, I'm convinced that I like saltwater tanks and I'm about ready to switch my little 5.5 which has proven to be very nice into my 30 gallon cube.

I still have to get the lighting so I have time.

What would you reccommend that I do to minimize stress?

I want to use the bottom sand (and miracle mud that I put under it) in the little tank as well as the rocks etc. in the new tank. It is probably not enough though. How do I go about this with minimal stress to all those involved?

I want the old tank to be the starter for the new tank. Is this impossible and a bad idea? How do I put the old dirt in if I need more rocks too? Can I add the new sand on top after I have added the old sand?

Is the 30 gallon going to be aged at all using the old stuff? Or no? I suppose I'll have to add more mud to the bigger tank too.

Any ideas?

 

[AnimaliA]

You will need to let the new tank cycle regardless if you use the old rock and sand. Using cured rock and a little of the old sand will cut the cycle time down significantly. Frequent water changes will also cut the time down, but you still need to make sure the tank parameters are stable before stocking. Hope this helps

 

[magdelan]

When I moved my 10g into my 30g, I syphoned all but about one gallon of water out of the 10g into a 5g bucket. Then I put my corals into the 5g bucket. Then, I took out the live rock and placed it aside for a few minutes. Next, I scooped about 2 cups of the substrate out of the 10g and put it in the 30g. Then I built my rock up in the 30. After that, I added the new sand. Last, I added 20-25g of new saltwater to the tank and finally added the old salt water and the corals from the 5g bucket. As long as your temp and salinity are really close, it ends up being like a REALLY BIG water change.

Good luck!

Mike

 

[Shagsbeard]

You should let your 30 get established long before you break down your 5.5. Get the water, most of the sand and some live rock going in it for a month or so before the switch over. Then the life from your 5.5 will have a well established home to move into.

For a couple days before the transfer, I'd allow water from each to intermingle, sort of running one as a sump for the other. That way there's no "shock" of change in pH or salinity or anything.

 

[lifesworksataol]

what i did is keep doing little water changes in your little tank and put that water into your big tank - over and over again - and keep a powerhead in there to keep it moving - then when you have enough water i would drain water into a big bucket or another tank then put all rock coral and fish into the same bucket - then move sand - then put everything into the new tank- if you dont have the time or dont want to wait - then just fill tank and get all the ph and temp and everything else you can as close together as poss. then do the same thing