Buying a new tank...How much old water do I keep in it?
- Thread starter ugotktfo
- Start date
bang guy
Moderator
There's no need to keep any of the old water. It makes no difference on the cycle.
If it's a very healthy live sand bed then it can be beneficial to keep the top 1/2" of sand because that's where the majority of the sand bed infauna live.
If it's sparsely populated then I would recommend starting over and keeping just a handful off the top of the old sand bed.
Any sand below 1/2" I would toss.
If it's a very healthy live sand bed then it can be beneficial to keep the top 1/2" of sand because that's where the majority of the sand bed infauna live.
If it's sparsely populated then I would recommend starting over and keeping just a handful off the top of the old sand bed.
Any sand below 1/2" I would toss.
wmattk
New Member
If I might add my 2 cents worth, the water has no reason to save it, BUT saltwater is not free, so use half of it, fill the rest with new, there is a water change, second, the gravel. Don't wash it in fresh water, you would kill off the bacteria that you have raised since it was a baby, when taking the gravel out, fill half of a 5 gallon bucket with the tank gravel, then fill the bucket with tank water, stir it up to get the garbage out dump the water, them pour the gravel into the tank, until you have transferred the gravel into the new tank. Also this depends on the type of filtration you are using, under gravel, you have bacteria the complete depth of the gravel. If you have no plates under the gravel, then your sand sifters should be going the complete depth so all the gravel would hold bacteria. If you are using crushed coral, and it's old, dump 25% and add new. If u you are using Dolomite(which I hope no one is using anymore), dump at least half. And Don't mix the 2.
Mix new water, let it clear, and acclimate the fish as if they were new. Another thing, depending on what your water is like, it might be a good time to start using R.O. water. Things will go so much better for you.
Mix new water, let it clear, and acclimate the fish as if they were new. Another thing, depending on what your water is like, it might be a good time to start using R.O. water. Things will go so much better for you.
ugotktfo
Member
The sand has been in my tank for about 6-7 years. I've had cyano problems in the past, about 1/2 inch down in the sand you can see a brownish/red layer at points. So stirring the existing sand with salt water would work fine? I have about 80 pounds of live rock that I plan on rinsing and lightly scrubbing with salt water as well.
wmattk
New Member
If I might add my 2 cents worth, the water has no reason to save it, BUT saltwater is not free, so use half of it, fill the rest with new, there is a water change, second, the gravel. Don't wash it in fresh water, you would kill off the bacteria that you have raised since it was a baby, when taking the gravel out, fill half of a 5 gallon bucket with the tank gravel, then fill the bucket with tank water, stir it up to get the garbage out dump the water, them pour the gravel into the tank, until you have transferred the gravel into the new tank. Also this depends on the type of filtration you are using, under gravel, you have bacteria the complete depth of the gravel. If you have no plates under the gravel, then your sand sifters should be going the complete depth so all the gravel would hold bacteria. If you are using crushed coral, and it's old, dump 25% and add new. If u you are using Dolomite(which I hope no one is using anymore), dump at least half. And Don't mix the 2.
Mix new water, let it clear, and acclimate the fish as if they were new. Another thing, depending on what your water is like, it might be a good time to start using R.O. water. Things will go so much better for you.
Mix new water, let it clear, and acclimate the fish as if they were new. Another thing, depending on what your water is like, it might be a good time to start using R.O. water. Things will go so much better for you.
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmattk http:///t/394145/buying-a-new-tank-how-much-old-water-do-i-keep-in-it#post_3507932
the cyano problem can be greatly reduced by cutting back the light, reduce feeding, and use RO water.check your phosphate levels. If you dump all your gravel you are going to dump a good portion of your bacteria. Still dont know what type of filtration you use.
Possibly, but might not.....
Originally Posted by wmattk http:///t/394145/buying-a-new-tank-how-much-old-water-do-i-keep-in-it#post_3507932
the cyano problem can be greatly reduced by cutting back the light, reduce feeding, and use RO water.check your phosphate levels. If you dump all your gravel you are going to dump a good portion of your bacteria. Still dont know what type of filtration you use.
Possibly, but might not.....
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I would agree that you should probably get rid of most of this sand bed. Sounds like you've got some noxious areas developing. If it was me, I'd keep a couple scoops off of the VERY top, but ditch the rest.
Also, re-using some of the water isn't a bad idea for a cost-saving method, but if you do this make sure you're taking "pure" water from the middle of the water column. No reason to transfer any detritus from the sandbed, etc.
Remember that the nitrifying bacteria that make up your biofilter don't live in the water column itself. This bacteria is in and on the rock, the sand, and in the sponge biofilter. All you really need is to make sure your rock doesn't dry out during transfer, and you should be able to keep any ammonia spike down low.
Also, re-using some of the water isn't a bad idea for a cost-saving method, but if you do this make sure you're taking "pure" water from the middle of the water column. No reason to transfer any detritus from the sandbed, etc.
Remember that the nitrifying bacteria that make up your biofilter don't live in the water column itself. This bacteria is in and on the rock, the sand, and in the sponge biofilter. All you really need is to make sure your rock doesn't dry out during transfer, and you should be able to keep any ammonia spike down low.
ugotktfo
Member
The surface of the sand is almost purely white now. I use proper lighting and phosphate controls to combat any cyano. When I did have cyano, it was also on the LR. I run a carbon filter on the back of my tank, a wet/fry filter with bio balls and the protein skimmer underneath, and of course the sand and about 80 lbs of LR. I use RO/DI now and everything is looking crystal clear. I want to maximize efficiency when I get the new tank set up. Which also brings me to the question, pros and cons of running a wet/dry with bio balls for a reef tank. I've never ran anything else, but like I said, I want this tank to be as efficient as possible.