Tank Transfer Method (1 Viewer)

Hi all,
I have been reading so many different ideas for tank transfers, and its all overlapping with what people do and what others say is negative. My current set up is a AIO IM 30 L with a CPR HOB Fuge, (34ish Gallons). The new tank is a 75 Gal center overflow with a 40 breeder for the sump. Just finished building the stand and working on getting the remaining pieces for the plumbing, so if shipping doesn't delay much i should be completely built out sometime next week. I will be using the rock in the current set up with an additional 30ish lbs of new dry rock, along with a majority of new sand (Caribsea Arag-Alive) with maybe a cup or two of current sand to scoop up my spaghetti worms.

So this is where all the questions start.... I know i'm not the first person to ever do this but i would really enjoy learning what others have done in this situation?

Buy a jug of liquid bacteria for quick start. Lots of different brands

Reading is hard.

Unfortunately that's true for a lot of this hobby - one person says such-and-such is the only way, another says that will kill everything, and neither one is completely right or wrong.

As for sand, I've done it both ways - reusing all the old and using only new. I definitely like your idea of using new but with scoops of the old sand with the existing critters.

ITreefer said:

Good question for @Humblefish to field.
Whenever I answer questions like this, people don't like the answer.
(No QT) gasp!

Click to expand...

I think he's actually talking about upgrading an existing tank, not the tank transfer method of QT.

frankc said:

I think he's actually talking about upgrading an existing tank, not the tank transfer method of QT.

Click to expand...

Ah ok... title got me lol

Leave nothing to chance and just go for it.

I just move everything from the old tank to the new, add mixed water to make up the difference and then run the lights less time during the day for about a month. Never had any issue doing this unless you leave the lights on as you will probably get a bloom from all the stuff you kicked up.

I’d use Dr. Tim’s One and Only
Use new sand with 2 cups of existing sand.
Maybe add 50% of the old water.
Using some of the old rock and new “live sand” will definitely give you an advantage.


Don’t forget the Dr.Tim’s for reef tanks.

Reefahholic said:

I’d use Dr. Tim’s One and Only
Use new sand with 2 cups of existing sand.
Maybe add 50% of the old water.
Using some of the old rock and new “live sand” will definitely give you an advantage.


Don’t forget the Dr.Tim’s for reef tanks.

Click to expand...

IS the Dr. Tim's similar to the Fritz Turbo Start?

Thanks all for the comments. im working on photos through the process and will hopefully work on a build thread.

It will not hurt your system in the least to add in the bacteria that everyone is mentioning. So just transfer everything to the bigger tank and add new water to make up the difference. Then dump in the right amount of bacteria and you should be set. I like Dr Tim's the best but I have used others.
Then just keep an eye on your ammonia levels the next couple weeks but doubt they will be an issue. Between your existing rock and water you would probably be fine but I would do the bottle bacteria as added insurance against losing your livestock.

TaylorMade said:

IS the Dr. Tim's similar to the Fritz Turbo Start?

Click to expand...

Yeah, but I trust Dr. Tim’s because the guy is smart and has nice credentials. Plus I know it works. First hand experience with his products.

The President of DrTims Aquatics is Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec who, for 17 years, was the Chief Science Officer of Aquaria Inc., the parent company of Marineland Aquarium Products, Aquarium Systems (Instant Ocean) and Perfecto Manufacturing. Dr. Hovanecs groundbreaking research on nitrifying bacteria led to him discovering and developing BioSpira.

After studying limnology at Uppsala University in Sweden, Dr. Hovanec graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Biology.

Dr. Hovanec earned his Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he investigated the phylogenetics of nitrifying bacteria in aquaria and Mono Lake, California. Dr. Hovanec was the first to demonstrate that bacteria of the phylum Nitrospira were the active nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in aquatic systems such as aquaria. His work on nitrifying bacteria has led to the discovery of many new species of nitrifying bacteria in freshwater and saltwater systems and the granting of several U.S. and foreign patents, with additional patents pending. He has also conducted research on topics such as ammonia excretion and toxicity in aquatic organisms, bio-filtration systems design, and fish feed formulations. At Marineland, Dr. Hovanec was in charge of the biology, chemistry and microbial ecology laboratories that comprise Marineland Labs. He was also responsible for overseeing the quality control of such products as Instant Ocean sea salt and BioSpira nitrifying bacteria.

Dr. Hovanec has authored numerous scientific papers in aquatic microbial ecology and in public aquaria and aquaculture fields, and he writes popular articles on tropical fish for several magazines. He has been an invited speaker and contributing author at several domestic and international conferences. He was the editor of SeaScope magazine and is a member of many scientific organizations. His past positions include a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, university research assistant, biologist and manager at an intensive striped bass aquaculture facility and consultant on various aquaculture projects.

Dr. Hovanec regularly speaks to pet store owners, distributors and hobbyists on a diverse range of topics, all with the goal of increasing knowledge exchange, which can benefit everyone in the hobby.

Dr. Hovanec was the President of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, a Washington, D.C. based industry lobbying group, for 5 years and has been a member of the Board since 1992. Dr. Hovanec has also served as the Co-chair and Program Chair for Marine Ornamentals, a combined government-private industry scientific conference that occurs every 2 years.

Go humble.fish lots of great info