Uncle99 65 to 180G Rebuild

[Uncle99]

 

[Reefing102]

Looks amazing! Looks like future TOTM material if we bring that back

 

[JohnL]

Beautiful tank brotha!

 

[stevedola]

When you upgraded to the 180, did you just transplant your existing tank into the new 180? what was your method?
add sand, add water, add old tank rock/corals/water/sand?
interested in the sequencing.

 

[Uncle99]

When you upgraded to the 180, did you just transplant your existing tank into the new 180? what was your method?
add sand, add water, add old tank rock/corals/water/sand?
interested in the sequencing.

Yes, a full transplant from a mature 65g, this tank kept running through the transfer period.
Added 100% new saltwater and sand and brought to temp.
Day one, added 1/3 of the rock and corals and my gramma, my Anthais pair and my orchid dottyback.
Waited one week.
Day 8, added the second 1/3 rock and corals and my clown mated pair, my mandarin and my yellow tang.
Waited one week.
Day 16, the last 1/3 rock and coral and the bosses, my Blue Tang, Sailfin and Kole.
Done.
65g drained and packed away.
Some flashing, a couple of chases, here and there.
Alk, CA and MG remain stable and daily consumption did not change.
Nitrate and phosphate was low due to the 100% new water so I just dosed upwards back to the 10ppm nitrate and 0.08ppm phosphate level, it’s sat at this level with a 10% weekly change, this level seems easy to keep.

 

[CasperOe]

Yes, a full transplant from a mature 65g, this tank kept running through the transfer period.
Added 100% new saltwater and sand and brought to temp.
Day one, added 1/3 of the rock and corals and my gramma, my Anthais pair and my orchid dottyback.
Waited one week.
Day 8, added the second 1/3 rock and corals and my clown mated pair, my mandarin and my yellow tang.
Waited one week.
Day 16, the last 1/3 rock and coral and the bosses, my Blue Tang, Sailfin and Kole.
Done.
65g drained and packed away.
Some flashing, a couple of chases, here and there.
Alk, CA and MG remain stable and daily consumption did not change.
Nitrate and phosphate was low due to the 100% new water so I just dosed upwards back to the 10ppm nitrate and 0.08ppm phosphate level, it’s sat at this level with a 10% weekly change, this level seems easy to keep.

Will be facing a similar upgrade and transfer soon! If my transition will be as smooth as yours, I'll be amazed!

What is the single best piece of advice you can give me?

 

[Uncle99]

Have a plan, stick to it.
Transfers to larger waters is quite easy when you have an established system.