Transfer tank, advice.

[astroroxy]

Hello,

I am moving from a 42g to a redsea max nano (20g). I was wondering is it best to do a brand new cycle, or keep some of the old rock/sand/water and move it into the new tank or do half and half. Both tanks will be side by side, for a little bit, but I would like to transfer in about 2 weeks or less.

 

[thegrun]

I would just move over the rock from your existing tank with as much clean water from your old tank as possible. The water will not help avoid a cycle since it has very little bacteria in it, but reusing the water will reduce the stress of different water chemistry if you were to use all new water. I would not reuse your sand however, trapped detritus in the old sand has the capability of starting a new cycle and killing your livestock. Use new (washed) dry sand rather than "live" sand that also can have a lot of dead organic material in it.

 

[RobZilla04]

As already stated use as much water from the first tank and transfer the rock. Just be careful how much new uncured rock you add to the new system. For your volume more than just a few pounds can cause enoug of a spike to kill livestock as it cures. You can go with already cured live rock from a LFS.

 

[astroroxy]

I would just move over the rock from your existing tank with as much clean water from your old tank as possible. The water will not help avoid a cycle since it has very little bacteria in it, but reusing the water will reduce the stress of different water chemistry if you were to use all new water. I would not reuse your sand however, trapped detritus in the old sand has the capability of starting a new cycle and killing your livestock. Use new (washed) dry sand rather than "live" sand that also can have a lot of dead organic material in it.

Thanks. Do you think I can avoid a cycle if I move over using the water and rock from my old tank, so the only thing that would be new would be the sand bed?

 

[RobZilla04]

Yes, no cycle if done this way.

 

[astroroxy]

Cool thanks!