Tank upgrade, cycle ?

[c.rob]

I am upgrading a 5 yr old 75g to a 180g with a 100g sump. I have used 1/2 of the old rock with 1/2 new cured rock and a new sand bed. The tank has been up for a week with 5 small fish. I still have not seen any ammonia. How long should I wait till I move the other stock over ? Should I remove the fish and purposely cause a cycle or is the existing cured rock safe to start the move of the other fish . How long should I wait to move the SPS stock ?

 

[falco]

Did you use any of the water from the 75 gallon? Whenever I've upgraded a tank I would use 1/2 of the water from the old tank. I've never had a cycle in the new tank doing it that way.

 

[c.rob]

No , but it's not too late to do that. I figured most of the bacteria would be on the rock. All the parameters should be the same except some low nitrates. Probably should match the trates ,or lower them just slightly so I don't shock the SPS ?

 

[jener8tionx]

You are fine as long as there is some mature rock and the new rock has gone though it's die-off period. Most of the bacteria live on the rock, so if it were me, I wouldn't use much if any of the old water.

 

[c.rob]

I used two differant brands of test kits on both tanks. I still have 0 ammonia on the new tank. The old tank has 0 nitrates. Probably will not do any changes with the water. I have matched the calcium and mag so I guess I will start to move some of the fish over. Trying to be cautious as I have some ORA's and Garf Purple Bonsi that I don't want to lose.