Tank transfer

[ransomed4ever]

I am soon to be transfering everyting from my 75 to a 90. I am going to be taking the same live rock, corals and fish over, the only new thing in there will be new, dry sand (I will seed it with a little of my old sand). I was wondering if I should use completely new water in the 90 and just drip acclimate everything, or do 50% old and 50% new and just replace the water I took from the 75 for the 90 with new water as well, so the water would basically be the same in both tanks. Also, I don't think I'd have to worry about a cycle with the same rock and dry sand, or am I wrong? I would also appreciate any other suggestions on any potential problems as well.

 

[ransomed4ever]

By the way the 90 is not going in the same spot as the 75, they are about 15 feet apart, so it would simply be out of the 75 into the 90.

 

[Jflip2002]

I just went from a 190g down to a 115g. I went and reused my sand (it was only about 6 months old max), but you using dry sand is a real good idea. That shouldnt cause a cycle. Just make sure you face the rock the right side up for the most part. A few pieces wont hurt, but there are bacterias that like light, some that dont.

As far as water, Id use all your water all over again if possible. Theres already going to be some stress as far as new sand, and transporting the corals go. So why add more stress to the process? I would then do some heavy water changes (maybe 50g in a 2 week period). That way you slowly get some "new water".

Thats my way Im doing it.... but I could be wrong as far as my methods go.

 

[tapmorf]

I would try not to stir up the sand bed if you have it in your existing tank and transfer at least half of your existing water, that way it is more like a water change than starting a new tank of water. Especially with a transfer you don't want the added stress to your livestock of a possible cycle to occur. It would definitely help that you are using the same live rock. Regarding the sand, in my past experience, I have transferred successfully from a 50 to a 75 and then to a 100 with new sand and a cup of the old sand. I did however get some diatoms on the top of the sand bed, but I never had a cycle occur. Good luck.