Upgrading my tank and need some advice

[mikieaggie99]

I have a 40gal tank that I've decided to upgrade to a 100gal system that I'm buying used. The new setup is complete (tank, refug/sump, lights for both tank and refug, powerheads...everything) including 65lbs of live rock that is sitting in the new tank as we speak.

I'm going to get the new tank setup and running, but need some advice on how to go about this process. I'd considered creating a new sandbed with live sand and taking EVERYTHING out of the old tank and putting into the new one including the water. Then I could increase the water level gradually so I wouldn't have two different tanks and could eliminate the cycle time in the new tank, however that sounds like a really stupid idea when I say it out loud.

The other option is to take down the old tank, move it to another part of the house, and set it back up while the new tank is cycling. I have ~55lbs of live rock in the old tank, but would use some of the new live rock for the old tank for now and use the rest for the cycle on the new tank.

Is that just incredibly complex or am I making it harder than it is?

 

[theatrus]

I'd be in favor of filling the new system with the right SG and temperature of water (- the amount in your old system), and then transferring everything in one shot. Moving sandbeds, especially deeper ones can be problematic, so I think setting up a new one and seeding it with some of the old sand is a good idea.

If you have to move the old tank to setup the new tank, it becomes more difficult of course and will require you to move the old tank to holding plastic bins.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Do you need the new tank to be in the same physical location as the old tank?

If not, the process is a LOT simpler and less risky!

Regardless, I'd go with a mostly new sandbed. re-use some of the old sand, but not all of it - it's probably full of crap if your tank has any age to it, and moving it will do nothing but release all that junk back into the water column.

Is the new live rock fully cured? i.e. did it come right out of an established tank?

 

[Osmotic Shock]

You are making it harder than it has to be. If you set up the new tank and add the rock from both tanks(120 lbs), seed the sand bed from the old tank it really won't cycle to any degree.If it does it will be minimal.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I'd just let the new 100 sit with the live rock for a couple few weeks maybe...If you've already got live sand, oh well, but if not, i'd just by dry sand. Most of the live sand sold at stores is just a gimmick. All sand turns live in time.

But i'd let it sit for w couple few weeks to make sure that rock is all cycled...then you can start transfering everthing.

 

[mikieaggie99]

The new tank has to go into the exact same spot as the old one unfortunately. The new tank isn't drilled, but has single returns on an overhang on it so I could easily add 20-30% water on the switchover and not have a problem (I think).

Also, if I need to do some aquarium work before I set it up (i.e. painting the back panel, drilling for a return, et cetera), do you think that the 40gal could handle another 65lbs of live rock before I move everything over?

The live rock is fully cured and in an established tank.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I really doubt you'd be able to physically fit 100+ lbs of live rock in a 40g tank and still have room for corals and fish.

Your best bet will probably be to set up some temporary quarters for your new rock - you can use that setup to hold your livestock during the actual switch, as well. You can use simple stuff here - a few big rubbermaid bins would work well. Just make sure there's circulation and a bit of light and filtration if the rock will be in there for more than a few days.

Make sure you think out every single component of the new tank before you start the procedure. For instance, if you will be using new sand in the new tank, rinse it VERY well to prevent it from clouding up the water. Fill the new tank slowly, and use a plate or something to diffuse the water you're adding so it doesn't stir up the sandbed.

I'd go ahead and fill the new tank completely right away. Definitely re-use some of the old water, though - it'll basically be like you did a big water change.

Plan an entire day to devote to the actual switch, and do it on a day when your LFS and hardware store are both open so you can get any little parts or supplies you might need at the last minute. Mix up plenty of new salt water ahead of time, and get it matched to the salinity, pH, etc of your old tank. Go slowly and double-check everything!

 

[mikieaggie99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10350855#post10350855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theatrus
I'd be in favor of filling the new system with the right SG and temperature of water (- the amount in your old system), and then transferring everything in one shot. Moving sandbeds, especially deeper ones can be problematic, so I think setting up a new one and seeding it with some of the old sand is a good idea.

If you have to move the old tank to setup the new tank, it becomes more difficult of course and will require you to move the old tank to holding plastic bins.

I have 5-6 fish in the old tank (clown, 6-line wrasse, firefish, flicker wrasse) but also a very salty CUC including hermits, snails, porcelain crab, and a sand sifter. Mostly, though, I have 7 really cool corals that I don't want to lose, so I'm guessing that I'll need to put them into a holding tub while doing the switchover if I do it all at once.

You guys are an awesome source of info, by the way. This hobby is like crack...at least what I've heard about crack, that is.

 

[mikieaggie99]

One more thing...

Is it ok to mix life sand and crushed coral for the new sandbed? I like having a mixture of both for the asthetics but wasn't sure if it has any sort of bio issues like slowing down the cycle time.