Upgrading to a larger tank

[mlindsey]

Hello. I'm upgrading from a 40 gal cube with hob filters to a 75 gal tank with overflow and 30 gal sump. My current tank has been up and running with this setup for close to 4 years and has about 3 inches of sand, a decent amount of live rock, a few fish and maybe a dozen beginner type corals (mushrooms, leathers, etc.). Now, please forgive my ignorance, but I was hoping to almost be able to just transfer everything to the larger tank. But I'm not sure what this would do to the balance of everything.

What would I need to watch out for, would you recommend anything different?

Thank you.

 

[skiingfast]

Sure you can do it but the key is speed.

You will want a bunch of buckets to put the water in. Then put the rock and fish into the buckets.

Sand is a big question mark because it will be hard to move. So it may be easier to get some new sand and use what old sand you may. Also see if your current sand is loose all the way through sometimes it cakes into chunks.



Also a 75G tank has a footprint of 48x18. if you can got 4 inches taller to 25 tall you could get a 90G. If you could do 6 inches deeper, 38x24 you could do a 120G. I'd suggest these bigger tanks, because it's a lot more room to work with for a small footprint change.

 

[kmbyrnes]

Good on you for asking and best wishes in the new tank.
I'd go for new sand, it will make your life easier.
I transferred tanks a few years ago and re-used my sand. I ended up with a HUGE ammonia spike in the new tank, killing 6 fish.
I felt completely dumb because I hadn't done enough research.

 

[gone fishin]

I agree with using new sand, if you want you could add a cup of your existing sand to help move things along.

In the past I have filled a new tank and added in my new rock. Once the new rock was arranged I would add in my sand. I would usually wait for the dust cloud to clear from the new sand. Once I was happy with everything then I would move over my old rock, fish, CUC. I would not add anything new for a few weeks to give the new tank time to settle. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[thegrun]

I agree I would also use all new dry sand washed well to remove the fines (dust). Assuming you are going to use some more rock in the new system use either dry rock or if you decide to add new live rock cycle it in a separate container or tank before you make the livestock transfer or you risk a new cycle.

 

[mlindsey]

OK, thanks for the tips. I've decided to go ahead and purchase new sand. lucked out on 30% off the aragonite sand on petco's website and only $6 to ship 80 lbs. Can't beat that. I'm going add maybe a cup of the old sand but that's it.

another question: I've got a lot of the smaller feather dusters that have popped up in the sand in the last year, almost 2 dozen... what's the best way to "scoop" them up to transfer them? will they house themselves in their tube or will they burrow into the sand to escape?

Thanks again.