Tank Swap Questions

[KingOfJericho]

I am going to be swapping tanks this weekend. Same size and shape but switching to a reef ready. Does anyone have any advice to minimize the casualties? I've already bought new live sand and have all of the plumbing, sumps, etc. so I really just need some advice on the actual swap. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[reefman13]

IME, just get a couple buckets, have one with just fish in it, and another with LR and then two or three more will all the LR. Also have a small air pump for the fishies.

 

[saltyfishy123]

I wouldnt keep the fish in one bucket, theyd have a war

 

[reefman13]

Mine didn't, and I have a powder brown tang...

 

[KingOfJericho]

My fish all get along famously... and I have huge garbage cans that I use for water changes (Brute). I am just worried that the water will get all cloudy and the tank will crash.

 

[KingOfJericho]

Hey Reefman, are you interested in a 150W MH fixture? I have 2 and don't use them

 

[reefman13]

Sure, LMk on pricing...
What happened to you using them on your tank? Are you upgrading?

 

[KingOfJericho]

I already upgraded... I got a Maristar 1x250W 2xT5 24" with Blue Wave 3 ballast the same day...

In the past week I have bought a 1/4hp chiller, the Maristar, a new tank, a sump , a phosban reactor, and an Eheim 1262 return pump... and a partridge in a pear tree.

 

[reefman13]

Funny

What size tank are you upgrading to? or is it the same size?

 

[KingOfJericho]

same everything, just reef ready. I got it at House Of Fins... 40% off was just too good to pass up.

 

[reefman13]

Okay. Cool. LMK on pricing for the lights and the tank, I am looking for a nice corner tank for my living room.

 

[KingOfJericho]

The tank is awesome. There is one scratch that is not visible unless algae starts growing on the front... when I clean the tank it becomes invisible. It's black. I am pretty sure a new one is around $250 so I guess I'd take like $100 for it. Also, it doesn't have a stand or canopy so you'd have to buy that all separately but with the CTARS discount, House Of Fins can make that quite reasonable. I'll think about the lights a little longer. they probably both need bulbs as one came without one and the other is a 10K which makes the tank look like a pool of pee. I may keep one to use on a frag tank or something.

 

[PL-Reef]

i would put the fish into separate buckets not because of fear of them fighting, but because of the water quality. when fish get scared they poo. buy putting a few fish into one bucket you increase the chance of them dieing due to increased amounts of ammonia.

 

[JonTarutis]

How many fish are we talking here? How good of a plumber are you?
We are talking a 32 or 44 gallon brute can here right? If so... I'd throw them all in together.... toss in an airstone or powerhead breaking the surface and get the new tank up and running as soon as possible!

 

[renogaw]

i recently did this due to a leaker.

my suggestion: save as much water as you can, and make sure you have a lot of make up water just in case.

i put all my fish into my QT. had all my rock in one big bucket, and my corals in another.

best thing i think i did was putting eggcrate on the bottom of the tank

 

[KingOfJericho]

well, I did it... no casualties yet. It was not as smooth as I would have liked but it's done now. Only problem is that my sump is too small to fit my skimmer and I will likely have to put my UV in line with my return or possibly as a separate circuit with the chiller that will be arriving on monday. Who knows....

Reefman... new price on the tank... $50. I have to get this thing out of here and I don't have access to a hose to clean it out really well. I could potentially drop it off. Let me know!