Moving a Complete Setup

[Europhyllia]

I am thinking of purchasing and moving a complete set up including livestock.
My main concern is biological filtration and starting a new cycle.
current filter is an undergravel filter and current substrate is crushed coral.
Neither of those would be my choice if I started a new setup from scratch.
There will be some macro algae but no liverock.

I was planning to:


use a shallow layer of new dry sand as the new substrate
keep the old crushed coral substrate in a filter bag and add it to the set up temporarily to preserve some biological filtration
replace the undergravel filter with a HOB or skimmer or both
bring 2/3 of the current tank water home with me

I am worried this won't be enough to not experience a cycle.
What else could I do?
I started my big reef (all dry rock and dry sand) using refrigerated bacteria from Fritz https://www.fritzpet.com/turbo-start-900/
I could order some of this and have it overnighted but of course that would be pricey. Other downside is that for 1 week I would not be able to use the protein skimmer and rely solely on the HOB.
I've also looked into a Seachem product like Prime which would detoxify ammonia and nitrite should we experience a new cycle.
What would you do?
I am sort of leaning towards the bottled Fritz and HOB filter just to be safe...

[tebstan]

...I'm assuming you are getting the existing occupants along with the tank setup?

[kkiel02]

I would trash the cc and undergravel filter. I would use new sand(just seed it from your big tank) and also get a hob filter going on your big tank to get bacteria from that. Also throw some dry rock in your sump now and get algae growing on it. I dont use any of the chemicals or bacteria as you already have all the bacteria you need in your other dt. Bacteria grows expeontentially so the more you can get going now the better off you are.

Also I agree with the 2/3rds water but use the other 1/3rd from your display tank(like a water change).

[Europhyllia]

...I'm assuming you are getting the existing occupants along with the tank setup?
Yes - occupants come with it. And the move would happen Monday already I guess.

[Europhyllia]

I forgot my ProDibio. I think I'll add an ampule of ProDibio to the tank (if I get it)

[StevenSeas]

If there is room in your sump on your big tank I would put the inhabitants there and transfer the new tank and setup and cycle however you wanted.

[Europhyllia]

I initially considered to even plumb the little tank into the big tank but RayJay, the seahorse guy, and some others pointed out that sharing water with the big tank would be a bad idea for several reasons;
* pathogens from the big tank could infect the seahorses
* water temp in the reef tank is higher (~78) than ideal for a seahorse (~75)
So in short I decided to keep the animals and systems completely separate

[txg8gxp]

Good luck with the move, I'm excited to see what you come up with. I would love a small seahorse setup, who knows...I might have to copy you.

[Europhyllia]

I got some good tips from tebstan and will be swinging by Polly's tomorrow to pick up some stuff if I hear from Sarah and it looks like the deal will go through. :)

[neogenix]

For ATO on your little tank you could get the AVAST ATO, looks nice and simple :)

[Europhyllia]

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/avastbuilt/Top-off-Kit
Oh I like it!
I'll have to see what the stand and everything else looks like but this definitely could be a great option. Thanks for the tip!

[ErikH]

I have moved many tanks with no problem. Jack and I moved my 75 which was loaded with corals... Just dont disturb the substrate, lower the water down to it. Move it, and refill trying not to disturb the substrate as you refill.

[Europhyllia]

Erik
my problem is that I don't want to keep the substrate (crushed coral) and rather replace it with sand. That's why I thought keeping some of the original crushed coral substrate in a filter bag may preserve some of the original bacteria.

[ErikH]

As long as the bioload is not too large, you could go with brand new sand that is dry.... If it's a couple of horseys it should be no big deal.