fish question, when switching to a dsb

[coop24n9]

I'm switching out my CC, and putting in a DSB. Was wondering what size tank I would have to get, just to house my fish for a week or two, while the sand bed gets settled. I have 1 tomato clown, two yellow-tail damsels, 1 pajama cardinal, 1 brittle star, and a couple of peppermint shrimp. I'm thinking a 15 or 20 gal would do. After the switch, I'll probably keep the tank up and running, and just let the damsels live there. i'm getting tired of them in my 55gal tank. I'll just let them have their own space.

 

[thomas712]

Not a bad idea, when I had my 55 set up I used the 10 gallon to mix water changes / QT tank. On the 90 I now use a 29 gallon for mixing water and just keep the 10 as a QT.
For the purpose of doing the change form CC to sand however all you need is a cheap rubbermaid tote, I much prefer having a spare tank or two for emergencies though.
I would recommend some furnishing for the temp tank, to help keep your fish calm and give them something to hide in, couple of plastic plants, PVC pipe, something simple.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Thomas

 

[coop24n9]

in the temp tank. I'm gonna put in some of my live rock, for the time being. 15 gal, good then?

 

[thomas712]

I think that would be fine for the time that your fish spend in there. I've seen worse at lfs tanks.

 

[coop24n9]

I hear you on that. Don't know if this is everywhere. But the tanks that hold damsels, at my LFS, are crazy packed. They sell the sh*t out of them though.

 

[thomas712]

Yea I think we have all seen something like that, and another reason why many of us will say quarentine your fish from first arrival to last.
Thomas

 

[michelle13]

Just a side note, the fish don't need to be out of the tank for a week. I put mine back in when the water in the tank was at the correct temp and salinity.

 

[coop24n9]

I'm just worried of a mini-cycle happening. I've read it happens, sometimes. The clown and damsels, i've had since I started the tank. Don't want them to kick off, b/c I was being stupid. Mainly worried about the clown, though. He is the dude.
And it justifies getting a small tank (i've been wanting), to my fiance.

 

[michelle13]

I had a small cycle, but it didn't hurt the fish or the corals. But I understand about the justification thing!! My husband sometimes doesn't get the whole story if I say I need something for the tank!! Ha!

 

[coop24n9]

michelle13:
Can I ask how you did it? What substrate you used? Any details would be great. Just don't wanna get this wrong.

 

[michelle13]

First I took all the water, rocks, corals, fish, and everything else and placed it in coolers with powerheads for circulation. Then I scooped out all the old cc, put a little in some pantyhose and threw the rest away. Then I put in some of my baserock. Then I put in the new sand (I think it's carib sea aragonite) with a layer of live sand on top. Next I began slowly adding water by pouring it on the already installed baserock so I didn't disturb the sand. Then as I added water I put my liverock back in and placed the pantyhose with the cc in the tank for seeding purposes. After the tank was full I checked the salinity and temp. Since it was the old water and it only took me about an hour to do this it was the same as the water with the fish and corals so I just put them back in. Then I plugged everything back in and wiped the film from the new sand off the glass. The tank was a little cloudy, but I could still see all the way through it, by the next morning it was crystal clear again. I monitored my levels and did have a very small, fast cycle. I have never had nitrates again!!! YAY! I hope this helps!