Upgrading tank ? (1 Viewer)

[rcd]

I am looking to upgrade from a 29 biocube to either a 57 or 65 gallon tank. When I set up the new tank, can I safely move over all of the live rock and fish without having to worry about a cycle.

I know that it is goiung to need additional sand but I was going to move over what sand I have in the biocube and the live rock.

Thanks

 

[trb]

I would start with mostly new sand, only move across a small part of your current sand. Clean the rest of the sand and then put it in. You should clean your rock in your old salt water and if you move the rock right over, you should be fine. I'm planning to go through the same thing hopefully later this month, changing from my 60 to a 120.

 

[Tempset]

can I safely move over all of the live rock and fish without having to worry about a cycle.

You can safely move it all over, but if you are moving it into a larger tank, you will need more saltwater(and sand) & that's where your new cycle begins. There's nothing wrong with a new cycle. Just monitor your ammonia & nitrite levels for unsafe conditions & do a water change of 30%-50% if you read anything unsafe.

Important things to watch:

-keep the water the same temperature from start to finish.
-always have new saltwater made & ready.
- http://www.melevsreef.com/moving_a_tank.html

Thanks

No, thank you for asking.

 

[i_am_poor]

If theres no rush to move the livestocks over then I would wait at least a week for the new tank to stabilize.

 

[bevoboy]

I wouldn't move the sand. Doing so will require that you rinse it all before placing in the new tank. IMO you are far better off putting new sand in the tank, filling it 2/3 of the way with fresh salt water, then moving your rock and livestock and topping off with the water from your old tank. That's how I made the move from my 75 to 180 a few months back and I experienced NO cycle. Your results may vary, but moving sand from one tank to another without thoroughly rinsing it is a likely recipe for disaster. You will, however, want to add a cup or two of the old live sand to the new tank to help with colonization of bacteria.

Forgot to add: Make sure the parameters of the tank water match from old tank to new before moving your livestock.

 

[zeek]

I went from a 29 to a 46 with a 20 sump, fairly close to what your doing. I added more rock to the 29 slowly so that it would be a bit crowded but enough when I made the move.

As far as the move itself, have it ALL ready to go, even if not running water at least a water test, I moved all my stuff in a rush and was planning to reuse the same sump... BIG mistake, sump did not fit my new stand... I had to get one in a rush.

Biggest and most important thing is stability, because your only adding enough water to be but a large water change if you think about it. And don't add too much new sand/Rock or your gonna get a bigger cycle then your expecting by too much I mean don't go from 40lb to like 90lb in one move add it to your tank slowly before hand or after slowly as well.

Just keep the params as close as possible is the only issue, If it takes you a few hrs, make sure that the temperatures are matched, salinity and so on or make sure to acclimate everything if a large change takes place.

As said I made about the same move and I didn't even see a cycle, I did get an algae bloom for a few days but never had any amonia/nitrites/nitrates spikes.

Good luck and if you need any help don't hesitate to ask.

 

[rcd]

I must say that I do not have that much sand in my bio cube. Maybe a half inch and since I did not know better, I vacuumed it every water change. I do not think I have to worry about a spike of any kind if move it. Am I totally off base with this assumption.