Upgrading new tank help....

[rangerchris00]

I want to upgrade my 10 gallon tank to 30 gallon. I've had the 10 gallon for 7 months now and don't want to lose any of my fish. I have a few questions about how to upgrade.

1. Do I use the live sand currently in my 10 gallon tank or do I get new sand and just seed the new sand with the old sand?

2. Can I save water from my water change and mix that with new saltwater so it can help prevent the new tank from cycling?

3. Will adding more live rock start a new cycle ? I have 10 pounds in my tank right now?

4. Can I mix dry rock with live rock? Will that help prevent a cycle?

Thank you everyone in advance

 

[thegrun]

1. Use new dry (wash it well first), you risk starting a new cycle reusing the old sand.
2. You can and should reuse as much CLEAN water from your old tank as possible. Doing so will not help reduce the chance of a cycle but will lessen the shock to your livestock from the different water chemistry that your new saltwater will have.
3. Yes, adding more live rock can start a new cycle. Your options are to either cycle the new rock either in your new tank or a separate container like a Brute trash can. You can also add dry rock instead of live rock. It's safer to first cycle the dry rock before adding it to your tank, but unless there is a lot of dried on organic matter on the dry rock it is highly unlikely that it would cause a new cycle.
4. Yes you can add a combination of dry and live rock, but I would recommend just adding dry rock.

 

[rangerchris00]

When you say new dry you men something like this
http://t.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fish/fish-tank-sand-gravel-substrate/fish-tank-sand/caribsea-aragonite-aquarium-sand#

 

[rangerchris00]

I just don't want to lose any of my fish.
What if I add all my live rock I have now and add 10lbs of dry rock. Will that minimize the chance of it cycling?

 

[PatW]

If you are thinking of using dry rock, you might think of soaking it for a few weeks in saltwater. Doing this allows the phosphates in the rock to leach out. Also, if the rock has dead organic material, it allows them to degrade in the soaking rather than in your tank.