Transfer old to new tank

[Chi6488]

In a couple months when it is cooler I will be replacing carpet/tile with new tile so this is my opportunity to replace tank.

Not thinking when I first started 2 1/2 yrs ago I purchased a 30" tall tank. Needless to say it is a pain in the A** to clean b/c my arms are just not long enough even standing on a ladder.

The tile work will take about a week. I plan to replace with a 90 gallon which will be around 25" vs the 110 at 30".

If I get all new live sand vs using the old one will I lose my bacteria and go through another cycle?? I plan to put livestock in a 29 gallon tank for a week. I will put the rocks in another container for the week as well.

Should I use the old live sand for the bacteria??

 

[mike_cmu04]

Using new sand will work fine. If you use the old sand you will have to rinse it very well and even then you would likely still have a small cycle.

 

[crvz]

I wouldnt bother getting new "live sand." Get a good aragonite based dry product and you'll save a lot of money. The dry sand will colonize in time.

 

[travis32]

If you keep your old live rock from the established tank, then what you do with the sand shouldn't matter. I plan on doing something similar when I replace my 55g tank in a month or two.

 

[cjs3055]

good luck with the transfer if you use the "old" sand just be careful with it and try and disturb it the least amount possible.