Transferring Tanks

[48hughey]

I recently started my first saltwater tank, and being unsure of how things would progress, I put together an all-in-one setup (I didn't want to over-complicate the process...well, that backfired! :headwally. I am only a few months in to having water in the tank, and I am already regretting not going with a drilled tank/sump (too much clutter for my eyes with all of wires, skimmer, heater, etc shoved in the back corner of the tank). I am using a 29 gallon PetCo special and have built a custom stand that fits perfectly in our house. Therefore, I am not looking to upgrade in size (yet), but I would like to plumb my tank to a ~10 gallon sump (mainly to house the equipment). I am scared to death of HOB overflows based on the stories I have read, so that is out of the question (I would never sleep again).

I have the tank cycled with a clean up crew and only 1 fish (lawnmower blenny), 20 lbs of rock, and sand.

Is it possible (and advisable) to try to drill my existing tank? I have nowhere to put the livestock/rocks while I partially drain/drill except a few 5 gallon buckets. I have never tried to drill glass, but failure would not be an option.

Or

Is it possible to just buy a new 29 gallon tank, drill it, get the plumbing ready and transfer everything to the new tank? With this option, I am concerned about disturbing the sand bed. Could I just use new sand instead? This seems to be my preferred method for accomplishing the switch, but I don't yet know what I don't know.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[bmitchell138]

I recently started my first saltwater tank, and being unsure of how things would progress, I put together an all-in-one setup (I didn't want to over-complicate the process...well, that backfired! :headwally. I am only a few months in to having water in the tank, and I am already regretting not going with a drilled tank/sump (too much clutter for my eyes with all of wires, skimmer, heater, etc shoved in the back corner of the tank). I am using a 29 gallon PetCo special and have built a custom stand that fits perfectly in our house. Therefore, I am not looking to upgrade in size (yet), but I would like to plumb my tank to a ~10 gallon sump (mainly to house the equipment). I am scared to death of HOB overflows based on the stories I have read, so that is out of the question (I would never sleep again).

I have the tank cycled with a clean up crew and only 1 fish (lawnmower blenny), 20 lbs of rock, and sand.

Is it possible (and advisable) to try to drill my existing tank? I have nowhere to put the livestock/rocks while I partially drain/drill except a few 5 gallon buckets. I have never tried to drill glass, but failure would not be an option.

Or

Is it possible to just buy a new 29 gallon tank, drill it, get the plumbing ready and transfer everything to the new tank? With this option, I am concerned about disturbing the sand bed. Could I just use new sand instead? This seems to be my preferred method for accomplishing the switch, but I don't yet know what I don't know.

Any advice would be appreciated.

There may be a better way but, if I were in your situation I would go to Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart and buy a large (deep) storage tote. Put the heater and powerhead in the tote and then transfer all of the rock and water and livestock to the tote.

The rock and livestock should be fine in this temporary container while drilling the tank.

As far as the sand goes I would just wash it real good with RODI water and reuse it. There should be enough bacteria in the rocks to keep the tank from cycling again.

 

[Valentini89]

There may be a better way but, if I were in your situation I would go to Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart and buy a large (deep) storage tote. Put the heater and powerhead in the tote and then transfer all of the rock and water and livestock to the tote.

The rock and livestock should be fine in this temporary container while drilling the tank.



As far as the sand goes I would just wash it real good with RODI water and reuse it. There should be enough bacteria in the rocks to keep the tank from cycling again.

This sound like a good idea..