The big move

[gquimby1]

Well here it comes. Within the next two months I plan to have moved my 29 gallon reef to a 90 gallon pre drilled. I'm making a list of new things I'll need: Sump equipment, more sand/rock etc. Can anyone give me some advice on how to make this transition as smooth as possible?

I will be able to have both tanks up for a short amount of time to get some things running and acclimated, which I assume I'll have to do anyway. But other than perhaps seeding the new tank with some live rock, sand and water. Any other tips?

Things like: When I do water changes on the 29 should I put that into the 90?

I can't wait to do this. I'm itchin. Help me with the process :bounce2::bounce3:

 

[Rubasu]

This is what I've done -

Set up the 90 in it's final resting spot. You definitely don't want to move that after it's all set up.

1. Set up the 90 with your new extra rock, sand, and water. (Keep in mind how much rock you will bring over from the 29.)
2. Put in about a cup of sand from the 29 into the 90 along with a piece or two (whatever you can get away with) of rock from your 29. Don't bother moving any water over.
3. When the 90 is cycled, start moving over the rest of the rock from the 29 along with the livestock. It should cycle a bit faster than normal since you're seeding it with your other rock/sand.

 

[Bono]

I would set up the new tank with about 50 gallons of fresh saltwater and make sure salinity and temp match. Then transfer all the contents of the 29 gallon into the new tank and add additional sand and LR. Its like doing a large water change without throwing out any water. Ive done it several times without issue.

 

[thegrun]

I like to play it safe and cycle the additional rock you plan on using before you make the transfer. You could cycle the new rock either in a Brute trash can or in the new tank. Theoretically if you use dry rock along with your current live rock you will not have a cycle, but I like the added safety of having cycled all the new rock. You definitely want to use new dry sand, not "live" sand which can have enough dead organics in it to start a new cycle. Be sure to wash the new dry sand well before you add it to the new tank or you will have a dust storm for several days. Since you can have both tanks running at the same time once the rock has cycled (you should be able to cycle the new rock in a week or two if you use Dr. Tim's One and Only or one of the other quick cycle bacteria additives available) I would use all new saltwater in the new tank and then make a few 15% water changes using water in the new tank and transferring the old water back into the new tank so that the water chemistry between the two tanks is very close. Once you've done that, match the temperatures of both tanks and move the old rock and livestock over to the new tank.