Upgrading to a new tank, but want to use my current tank as the sump.

[reefster828]

So I have an 8 month old 40 gallon reef with 10g sump, consisting of 8 smaller fish, some inverts, 4 smaller corals, and ~35 lbs rock. I just picked up a 125 gallon tank that is getting broken down and resealed, building a stand, canopy, the whole 9 yards.

My current 40 gallon would be absolutely perfect as a sump underneath this new tank. But my issue is what do I do with all my livestock while cycling this new tank once it's ready? I don't really have another tank or container I could put them in for the amount of time it will take to cycle. Do lfs rent out space? Or should I just bite the bullet and fork out the cash for another sump tank?

 

[mcgyvr]

You could setup the new tank andjust transfer all the rock and everything else same day..

 

[reefster828]

You could setup the new tank andjust transfer all the rock and everything else same day..

I thought about that. But wouldn't there be a big ammonia spike right off the bat? All the equipment will be new. New skimmer, return pump, power heads, new sand, new rock in addition to what I have.

 

[lolgranny]

You might have something small, but I doubt it.

Your main concerns are this. Salinity level, temp, and flow. Get those down and youre Golden.

I moved a 400gallon system over to a new house with a 700gallon system which I setup and plumbed the 2 days prior. 30+ fish. Angels, tangs, butterflies, you name it. About 30 sps colonies, no deaths.

My advice is make sure you have your levels on the new one in check, transfer rock first if you can, then add the livestock. I was moving so I moved everything (rock included) submerged in the old water.

Again. Zero casualties. You'll be fine imo!


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[reret10]

Just putting it out there, it's good to use all new sand just because old sand can contain tons of detritus and stuff you don't want floating around in the water and making more nitrates. It might take a little time for all the new sand to settle in the new tank but it should be fine. You can rinse the new sand if its not live and strain it or you can use live sand and it comes with a water clearing packet.
I just figured it's worth mentioning since I just moved all my livestock from my 30 gallon to a 50 cube and I didn't think too much about sand beforehand. Good luck!

 

[lolgranny]

Just putting it out there, it's good to use all new sand just because old sand can contain tons of detritus and stuff you don't want floating around in the water and making more nitrates. It might take a little time for all the new sand to settle in the new tank but it should be fine. You can rinse the new sand if its not live and strain it or you can use live sand and it comes with a water clearing packet.
I just figured it's worth mentioning since I just moved all my livestock from my 30 gallon to a 50 cube and I didn't think too much about sand beforehand. Good luck!

100% agree. Do not use the old stuff you'll definitely do more bad then good.

Good note [MENTION=277685]reret10[/MENTION]


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[reefster828]

You might have something small, but I doubt it.

Your main concerns are this. Salinity level, temp, and flow. Get those down and youre Golden.

I moved a 400gallon system over to a new house with a 700gallon system which I setup and plumbed the 2 days prior. 30+ fish. Angels, tangs, butterflies, you name it. About 30 sps colonies, no deaths.

My advice is make sure you have your levels on the new one in check, transfer rock first if you can, then add the livestock. I was moving so I moved everything (rock included) submerged in the old water.

Again. Zero casualties. You'll be fine imo!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, impressive feat! Thanks for the tips.

 

[reefster828]

Just putting it out there, it's good to use all new sand just because old sand can contain tons of detritus and stuff you don't want floating around in the water and making more nitrates. It might take a little time for all the new sand to settle in the new tank but it should be fine. You can rinse the new sand if its not live and strain it or you can use live sand and it comes with a water clearing packet.
I just figured it's worth mentioning since I just moved all my livestock from my 30 gallon to a 50 cube and I didn't think too much about sand beforehand. Good luck!

Good point! I will ditch my old sand and get new live sand.