Upgrading tank

Mr31415

Active member
I am considering upgrading my FOWLR tank from a 440l tank to a 1000l+ tank.

Current system details...
Up and running for 4 months with 15cm DSB, 40kg LR, about 7 fish.

New system details...
Want a 1000l+ tank and want to move everything from the 440l to the new tank. Will obviously need extra aragonite and LR.

Problems....
The old tank is standing where the new tank should be standing.

My questions....
1) How do I do this upgrade? I.e. how do I set up the new tank if the old tank is standing in its place?
2) What do I do with the DSB... If I move it i'll kill the anaerobic bacteria, won't I?
 
I'd imagine you tear it down piece by piece. Shut everything down. Get some tubs set up to the side or in the other room, fill them with tank water and just start transfering livestock over to the temporary holding tubs. Drain the rest of the tank. Do not re-use the DSB because you'll be asking for trouble. Save a handful of it to seed your new DSB. Remove equipment, remove tank, stand and there you go.
 
I agree - do not reuse the DSB to be on the safe side. Find the additional live rock from another tank (i.e., established) and some aged saltwater from another tank. This way you can move the live stock with minimal risk since the water and the live rock will make your system relatively stable right from the start. I did my tank this way and it did not cycle at all.
 
Would it help if I properly rinse say 90% of the DSB in normal fresh water? I.e. would that remove whatever is bad on it?
 
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