May upgrade need help!

[scubachris]

Ok I have a chance to get a 55 with stand, sump, canopy, T5 lighting protein skimmer and powerheads for $300. I have a 30g that has been up for about a year and would like to switch it over, but am unsure how to. If I switch I would have to take one down and set the other up in the same day. What do I do with all the corals? Fish? Will the tank cycle if I put my sand from my 30g along with all the water from the 30 and then add 25g new water? Could i take one down and put the 55 up and put the corals and LR in the new tank same day? HELP PLEASE!!!!!

 

[spanko]

If the new 55 does not include any rock sand and critters, in other words just equipment and if this were me I would;
Set up the new tank with new dry substrate and 30+ gallons (or maybe more depending on how big the sump is) of newly mixed or natural ocean seawater, a few days in advance if possible.
Get the tank and all its equipment up and running and stabilize the temperature to that of the 30.
Move all rock and coral from the 30 to the 55.
Acclimate the fish and inverts to the new tank.
Move the water, as much as possible, from the 30 to the 55.
Take about 2 or three cups of the sand from the 30 and put it in the 55.
Throw out or clean the rest of the sand from the 30 for future use.