Upgrading to a larger tank

[Str8linespeed]

Im running a Red Sea C130 34Gal. currently. I have a Red Sea Max 250 65Gal. waiting for me and I plan on moving to the larger tank soon. I just want to make sure I do the move right so I dont have any issues with my fish or coral. These are my thoughts on the process to do so.

-Im going to be using dry sand in the new tank and was going to seed it with a cup or the live sand Im currently using.

-Test water in the tank that is running.

-Make new saltwater with the same Salinity to fill the larger tank, heat to same temp.

-Fill a few buckets with current water to put live rock, coral and fish into.

-Siphon out as much water as possible from the current tank and transfer it to the new tank

-Add new saltwater to the larger tank

-Turn on all equipment and get the tank online.

-Test Water

-Add live rock, coral and fish

Thoughts? Anything I should do different?

Also am I going to have any cycles with the new tank I should be looking for?

 

[Blu3s94]

Thats exactly how I did my 45 to 90 gallon. Having a small diatom outbreak but I used all new sand which may have contributed to it.

 

[Str8linespeed]

My dry sand is new as well.

 

[RobZilla04]

:reading: Keeping my eye on this as I will be stepping up to a 90 from a 55 soon as well.

 

[Blu3s94]

My dry sand is new as well.

I think it has something to do with silcates in the sand. You can rinse it out real good, (I did) but still have a diatom problem. As far as fish and coral you should be fine. Your not adding anymore bioload so you shouldnt have a mini cycle. Even if you did it would be marginal at best. My fish inverts and coral all survived the move just fine doing pretty much exactly what you described.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Oh, I forgot one thing. I've been curing some Pukani dry rock to add into the larger tank also. Im going to wait until its fully cured before adding it to the new tank. Hopefully that wouldnt kick off another cycle.

 

[Drewl117]

I recommend siphoning the water before you move anything. That way you don't stir up any gunk and you can get most of the old tank water to use.