What's the best way to do this? (Move an entire setup)

[ptomoson]

Getting back into the hobby, bought a 90 gal complete setup dry. It does not have rodi, skimmer or any live rock/sand. It is currently sitting in my living room not put together yet.

In my search for live rock I called an old friend who I know has some rock. Long story short he was getting out of the hobby and I ended up buying his whole operation which is currently up and running in his basement. It is a 150 gal with a much better stand and more importantly much better lighting than I have on the 90.

I saw his tank a while back and it was beautiful. He did say that aptasia has taken over and he has neglected a water change for about six months thus he has lost some corals. He has around 100 lbs of live rock.

Knowing all this how should I proceed in getting his tank and livestock into my living room? He lives 20 miles away and I want to use his tank and lighting.

Thanks!

 

[A1t2o]

You will want plenty of 5 gallon pails to put all the live rock and corals in. If you can bag any corals then that would be best. Fish can go into a 5 gallon pail, but I would put minimal LR (rubble) in there because you do not want them to get squished if it moves. Put all the livestock into the 90 gallon tank for holding. Have that setup with fully mixed saltwater. If you can, match the salinity exactly beforehand, then when you try to acclimate everything it should be much easier. Then you can take the time to setup the 150 and get the rocks exactly how you want them. You will have to place some corals in the new tank if they are attached to the rocks, but wait with the rest.

Once the saltwater is mixed and up to temp in the 150, you can start moving things over. I would use about half of the water from the 90 depending on if there was any ammonia present. If there is in 150 tank then you need to let that go through the cycle before moving anything over, if there is in the 90 but not the 150 then use new water.

Once the 90 is cleaned out, and actually clean, I would fill it again and mix up new salt in that just in case things go wrong and you need to do an emergency water change. All in all, you will go through a lot of water and will probably lose some stuff, but if you are careful about matching the exact water parameters and temperatures then acclimate carefully then it should be fine.

Also add peppermints to try and help with the aiptaisa.

 

[whosurcaddie]

If the aiptasia has totally infested the rock your best bet is to dry out that rock. I've seen really bad infestations and you CAN reach a point of no return. The last thing you want with a new setup is to be fighting an unwinnable battle.

 

[Norman123]

If the aiptasia has totally infested the rock your best bet is to dry out that rock. I've seen really bad infestations and you CAN reach a point of no return. The last thing you want with a new setup is to be fighting an unwinnable battle.

I have to jump in here and ask... How long would one need to dry out such rock. I'm about to nuke my nano because of this infestation. Does aitapsia lie dormant in dry rock? I hope the answer is no.