hampsterblade
New member
I am moving next month and had a few questions.
With my move I am planning on upgrading my 55 gallon to a 125. I would like to make the move with as little stress to my inhabitants as possible. The tank has been established for 7 months now will be 8 months when I move. I intend to turn the 55 I have into a sump.
1) cycle. For a bigger tank I will probably need more rock and sand. Should I cycle the new tank for a week or two before moving my tank into it? Should I bring my sand with me or ditch it in favor of new sand? Will the new tank be okay to run for a few days without a sump and skimmer while I clean, dry and install baffles in the 55. If I can find a piece my skimmer can at least run as HOB.
2) lights. My 48" t5s are clearly going to be too small and will be overkill for sump lights. Should I run them over the 125 and add a halide or find something else for them. Id hate to ditch a 200 light.
3) flow. I currently have a 1200 gph power head and am getting a eheim 1260 pump for the return. Will this be enough flow or should I add a couple more power heads.
4) Skimmer. Can I run my skimmer for a while until I can get a bigger one. Its only rated for 100 gallons and I'll be pushing 150 at least.
5) Sump. Filter sock or no? How high should I make the water level in the sump? Will plumming the sump to the bulkheads on it be okay?
6) plumming. The tank I buy may or may not be reef ready. I know some people drill the bottom of their tank instead of the back. Is this better in some way? My current tank I drilled the back and used a reverse dorso to keep it quite with a strainer.
7 stand. I intend to build my own stand. What size and type of wood is used for this. Would 2x2s of white wood be sufficient or would I need to go with something stronger. Will it be okay to build it in two pieces for portability keeping my sump on one side and a 20 long and 10g for a saltwater mix and freshwater ATO?
With my move I am planning on upgrading my 55 gallon to a 125. I would like to make the move with as little stress to my inhabitants as possible. The tank has been established for 7 months now will be 8 months when I move. I intend to turn the 55 I have into a sump.
1) cycle. For a bigger tank I will probably need more rock and sand. Should I cycle the new tank for a week or two before moving my tank into it? Should I bring my sand with me or ditch it in favor of new sand? Will the new tank be okay to run for a few days without a sump and skimmer while I clean, dry and install baffles in the 55. If I can find a piece my skimmer can at least run as HOB.
2) lights. My 48" t5s are clearly going to be too small and will be overkill for sump lights. Should I run them over the 125 and add a halide or find something else for them. Id hate to ditch a 200 light.
3) flow. I currently have a 1200 gph power head and am getting a eheim 1260 pump for the return. Will this be enough flow or should I add a couple more power heads.
4) Skimmer. Can I run my skimmer for a while until I can get a bigger one. Its only rated for 100 gallons and I'll be pushing 150 at least.
5) Sump. Filter sock or no? How high should I make the water level in the sump? Will plumming the sump to the bulkheads on it be okay?
6) plumming. The tank I buy may or may not be reef ready. I know some people drill the bottom of their tank instead of the back. Is this better in some way? My current tank I drilled the back and used a reverse dorso to keep it quite with a strainer.
7 stand. I intend to build my own stand. What size and type of wood is used for this. Would 2x2s of white wood be sufficient or would I need to go with something stronger. Will it be okay to build it in two pieces for portability keeping my sump on one side and a 20 long and 10g for a saltwater mix and freshwater ATO?
