tank switch

[truck0000]

I have a 55 gal. that im going to transfer to a 75 gal. My question is if I use the water and live rock (105 lbs.) from my 55 do I need to let new tank cycle or can I just go ahead and transfere all life stock when I transfere water?

If I let it cycle will I need lights on it while it Cycles?

Well I guess any advice on how I shoud go about doing this would be appreciated.

[Reef69]

Transfer your sand, your water, and your rock. Add new saltwater until its full.. you dont need to cycle anything, see it as a waterchange. when temp. and everything is in check, add your fish.

[don-n-sa]

IMO it really depends on your sandbed. How long has the 55 been set up? IS ther livestock in the 55? A sandbed can get funcky over time and when you disturb it , it can release a gas that can kill your critters.

I made two successsful transfers without losing a single critter and without having a cycle...but my sandbed is constantly stirred up and kept clean.

If your bottom layer of sand smells like rotten eggs dont use it.

One thing that you can do and you should not have a cycle is to use all of your liverock and buy all new sand and seed it with sand from your 55 and dump the rest.

[mkengr45]

Transfering all your rock and corals is no problem, but as Don-n-sa said the potential for problems arises with the transfering of your sand bed. I have heard of people having big problems with this. I am bare bottom and have switched to different tanks 4 times without any losses. I like the idea of using a new sand bed and seeding it with your old sand, this way you can give me some too :) Again, it all depends on the condition of your existing sand. Keep us posted on the results because I will be doing another tank switch in a few weeks.



Randy

[thedude]

Or you could skip that disgusting sand step and go barebottom!

[BeachBum]

I recently transferred from a 55gal to a 75gal. The 55gal was set up for 2 years. I transferred all the water , live rock, and sand. Now, I had reef sand and I vaccummed it at every water change (Monthy). I can understand not reusing the sugar sand size that you would not vacum. I didn't experience any problems. I was expecting diatoms build up since I disturb the tank, but never had a break out.

I would reuse all of the old water and consider the addition of the new water as a water change. Since you are only increase the tank size by 20 gallons, should not be a problem. A cycling period may occur if you were transferring from a 55gal to say a 200gal tank. So much new water added and not enough bacteria to to cover it. Ammonia will spike causing a new cycle. Now, it should be quicker then starting from scratch.

Sorry, needed to log in :wacko

[GaryP]

You'll still have a minicycle because of the nutrients stirred up in the sand bed, but because you have an established microflor it will be a lot shorter then in a new tank.

The trick is to help it out with frequent, large water changes, aggressive skimming, and running carbon and phosphate absorbers.

[Reef69]

When I transfered everything from a 55 to my current 90, I didnt lose a single fish, did it all in 1 day. I saw it like a big water change.

[Jenn]

I know this is an old thread, but I am fixing to do a transfer and am trying to read up as much as possible on how to do this. I would like to know the definition of "seeding" the new sandbed. My currect tank has been set up for almost 3 years and is probably less than clean. What is the amount I should use "seeding"?
Thanks a bunch!!!
Jenn

[CD]

What is the amount I should use "seeding"?


I take it you are upgrading from the 125G? When we upgraded from the 75G to the 210G display, we put the new SB down first (about 4" total) then topped off with about 8 cups of LS from the old tank. Tried to use only the sand from about the top half layer, as the bottom half was a little yuky. Did not rinse, just put it in.

Used the LR and pretty much 3/4 of the water from the old tank PLUS some nicely cured LR we bought from Frederick (Polkster13). During the switch (all done within about 8 hours and we were being careful), all the livestock was taken out of the 75G and put in buckets, ice chests, and barrels (LOL - pretty much anything big enough that would hold water). Then the old SW was put into the new tank, then the LR, "seeded" sand, inverts, corals, and fish last. Once the new tank is full enough of water, start running all your equipment (skimmer, pumps, PHs, etc.) as you are doing the transfer of livestock. Run lots of carbon! *Remember not to completely fill the water level, as the LR is going to displace some of the water*. One thing I would HIGHLY recommend...get some plastic tarps from HD or Lowes to throw down on your floor while you are doing the transfer. Both of our tanks (75G on one wall, and 210G on the other) were in one room, and having the tarps on the floor enabled us to work MUCH faster without worry of flinging saltwater, sand, rock crumbles, etc... all over the place.
Also, it really helped being able to get the newly mixed SW and sand into the tank first so it (sand) had time to settle before we added the SW and LR from the old tank and then the rest of the livestock (corals and fish)...IOW you're probably going to want to let the new SW and sand sit in the tank for about 2 days before you do the switch of all the LR, the old SW, and your corals and fish.

I'm not going to kid you - it's going to be messy and you're probably going to freak a little (worrying about the livestock), but once you get started, and are about an hour into it, you will realize that it's not THAT bad. Hope it all goes smoothly for you!!! Take pics!

W. :)

[Jenn]

Thanks Wendy! You're awesome!!!! 8)

[CD]

Yer Welcome :) ...OH, hey - one thing I forgot to mention...
You know where I said to use 3/4 of the water from your old tank? Reason we only used 3/4 is that the other 1/4 was used to keep the critters in while the switch was taking place. The water that the corals and critters are in will need to be thrown out once everything is in your new tank. If you have more "aged" tankwater availb. (water change water from someone else's tank) I would recommend about 50% fresh SW and the rest "used". With all the LR and "used" SW, you may have a very tiny spike, but not enough to upset anything greatly. Just remember to run the carbon! Oh, and (LOL) your skimmer will probably go NUTS, but don't worry...just keep it clean and empty as needed.
Also - (sorry, I keep remembering things - LOL) you'll want to wear rubber gloves when moving the LR ;)

Just PM me or call me if you have any more questions...I'll PM you my ph. numbers here in a sec.

W. :)

[Jenn]

Thanks girl - got the #s and printed out the pages.

[GaryP]

Its good to see you posting again Jenn.

[Jenn]

I know, I'm a turd sometimes - I have been doing a lot of studying lately and too much tank neglecting. :blush