Switching Tanks

[alexwolf]

Question, when switching tanks, I assume you do a 100% water change, at least im thinking of it due to some problems I had. What do I do with the fish? How long before they can go back in?

[Nano_Steve]

whenever i moved my tank i kept most of the water and did about a 30% water change simply cuz i didnt want to waste that much already made saltwater. otherwise i would assume its like getting a new fish, float him and add a little salt water at a time until he acclimates.

hope it helps, steve

[TexasState]

Are you going to put the new tank in the same location as the old tank?

[alexwolf]

yeah its being replaced

[captexas]

I would do as Steve suggested. Use most of the water from the existing tank that way it is not a shock to everything. You really shouldn't change too much water in an existing system at one time.

So are you replacing your 135g?

[alexwolf]

yeah, we are going to a 175 bowfront

[ratboy]

I alway try to save as much water as possible when moving tanks and I havent had a problems with them once they are back up. One thing I did last time I rescaped my 90 was I got 4 tupperware sweater boxes, filled them with water and placed my corals in them while i messed with the tank. That way when Im done I can easily see what corals I have to place and nothing gets damaged in my sump or in buckets. I separate my good (coraline) and base rock into separate buckets so I dont end up with a bucket full of white rock when Im finishing up my aquascape.

[alexwolf]

so i should keep the water even if i am having some minor problems? Sounds way easier to me!! :D

[captexas]

If you are having problems and you are sure it is water quality related, I would recommend figuring out what that problem is prior to moving everything to the new tank if possible. If it is the water, you could try doing a 20 to 30% water change a week for a couple of weeks. That should remove most of the problem or at least dilute it to where it no longer causes problems. The most important thing is to figure you what the problems are and narrow the possible causes down till you find out the true cause. Changing things without really knowing may just cause different problems down the road.

A 175g bowfront? Man, I need to come work for Nissan! :-)

[alexwolf]

see, everyone seems to think the problem is those dumb tube snails, and i dont know what to do. There is brown slime ALL OVER everything in the tank, do i just move the slime too? I switched to corporate, no more Nissan, I sell all now!!!

[captexas]

While you are moving everything, use a bucket of old tank water and rinse/scrub the rocks that have the slime on them. Try to get as much off as you can before you put things into the new tank.

[alexwolf]

i just chaged 10 gal, ill prob do another 10 tomorrow, and another 10 on Thurs........the new tank should be here Friday, and I hope to get it up this weekend.

[captexas]

Hope you have plenty of help and lots of towels to clean up water on the floor. I can't imagine having to swap out a big tank like that. Hope everything goes well and look forward to checking out the new tank when it's all set up.

[alexwolf]

so, uh, what are you doing this weekend? :-D

[captexas]

LOL, humm, let me think real hard now . . . I have to wait at home for an important phone call, yeah that's it! LOL I have to go to Houston the next few days to do some overnight work so I will be alittle tired this weekend. I will see though, I might be able to give a hand. I also have some buckets and a 31g rubbermaid tub you can use too if you want to hold stuff during the transfer.

[alexwolf]

yeah im WAY short in buckets.......it would have to be Sunday after meeting though, cause i work Sat. I just KNOW some of my buddies will help me out :twisted:

[malofish]

I once had a tank o'death also, the prob was that there was a piece of live rock that was leaching somehthing into my system and killing everything!! I finally took my big tank and turned it into 4smaller tanks, 3 did good, one had the same prob. I finally took allthe rock in the 4th tank and dried it all and got rid of it in the back yard, never found out what it was??? If you need help moving, let me know and I might be free after the meeting!

[PeeJ]

I'll help you out dude. I can bring some "water only" clean trash cans

[alexwolf]

yeah thats fine, i have tubs for rocks. I would love help, anyone who wants to is welcome. Ill BBQ!!!

[malofish]

BEER????

[TexasState]

yeah, we are going to a 175 bowfront
If you're planning on keeping your tank long term, I would suggest for you to get the Cherry oak stand/canopy instead of the cheaper plastic over compressed boards.

[TAXMAN]

Alex. I just moved everything from my 58 into a 180. I used about 20 gallons of water and most of the sandbed from my 58. All my corals and clams reopened within 20 minutes or so after adding them to the new tank. The fish and clams I acclimated like I just brought them home. Nothing was shocked. I did make sure the temo and PH were very close in both tanks. Also Alk and Ca is good to have close. But my Ca is about 60 points lower in the 180.

As for the Brown slime. It shouldnt be the tubes. Mine have been fine since I try no to feed as much. I havent had a real problem with them for about a month or so. If the tube snails do cause a problem, they are in the big tank now. That'll suck for sure.

[alexwolf]

Vinh, I cant afford the Cherry set, its $1900. I got the black stand and am getting a custom canopy