Moving everything to a 55 gal tank
- Thread starter khull7
- Start date
nietzsche
Active Member
i would say to get a large container that can hold the water, place your fish in there with some live rock, heater, and some water movement while you put everything in your larger tank. i wouldnt know the best way of transferring the sand, but i just scooped it up and placed it in the newer tank. you're going to have to monitor ammonia, nitrites, nitrates to make sure you didnt kick up anything that was trapped in the sandbed
make sure you have the water ready in the 75g as well too thats at the same temp where your fish are coming from
make sure you have the water ready in the 75g as well too thats at the same temp where your fish are coming from
al mc
Active Member
Originally Posted by nietzsche
i would say to get a large container that can hold the water, place your fish in there with some live rock, heater, and some water movement while you put everything in your larger tank. i wouldnt know the best way of transferring the sand, but i just scooped it up and placed it in the newer tank. you're going to have to monitor ammonia, nitrites, nitrates to make sure you didnt kick up anything that was trapped in the sandbed
make sure you have the water ready in the 75g as well too thats at the same temp where your fish are coming from
I agree with all this, but if your budget allows I would throw out the old sand and put in all, or at least a good portion of, lnew 'live' sand. I have done this with several tank upgrades and never had a problem. If you use the old sand I guarantee you will have a nice nitrogen surge and end up spending more time, and even maybe more money, to correct it with water changes...
i would say to get a large container that can hold the water, place your fish in there with some live rock, heater, and some water movement while you put everything in your larger tank. i wouldnt know the best way of transferring the sand, but i just scooped it up and placed it in the newer tank. you're going to have to monitor ammonia, nitrites, nitrates to make sure you didnt kick up anything that was trapped in the sandbed
make sure you have the water ready in the 75g as well too thats at the same temp where your fish are coming from
I agree with all this, but if your budget allows I would throw out the old sand and put in all, or at least a good portion of, lnew 'live' sand. I have done this with several tank upgrades and never had a problem. If you use the old sand I guarantee you will have a nice nitrogen surge and end up spending more time, and even maybe more money, to correct it with water changes...
keith burn
Active Member
If you use the 1st 1/2 in of it, it will be ok will help seed new tank.
And run a lot of water over the sand that you have and add it slow over a week or two.And or use it in a sump/fuge exc...
And run a lot of water over the sand that you have and add it slow over a week or two.And or use it in a sump/fuge exc...
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Khull7
I now have a 30 gallon tank that I've had for 4 years with all the hardware(filter, skimmer, powerheads, etc.) for a 75 gallon tank and I want to move everything (fish, live rock, etc) to a 60 gallon tank. What is the best procedure for this?
Is the new tank going where the old one is or in a different spot in the house?
I now have a 30 gallon tank that I've had for 4 years with all the hardware(filter, skimmer, powerheads, etc.) for a 75 gallon tank and I want to move everything (fish, live rock, etc) to a 60 gallon tank. What is the best procedure for this?
Is the new tank going where the old one is or in a different spot in the house?
sh00tist
Member
Since you are moving to a much larger tank you should be able to use all of your current sand. Place it in the bottom of the new tank first thing then place a similar amount of new sand{doesnt have to be live,you have plenty of life in your current sand)over the top of the old sand. When you add your water place a good size glass bowl on the bottom and let your water run into it so it doesnt wash the sand all around. Anther good idea is to cut some 2 inch pieces of 1 1/2" pvc pipe place them flat side down into the sand and set your rocks on top of them,this will help your rocks to not get buried down in the sand. Another idea when you know you are planning a big tank switch is to start saving your old water change water in a big tub with a powerhead in it,you can add this to your new tank and you wont have to add so much new water,you may even get a buddy or two to start saving theirs,providing they have nice tanks :} I dont know how many fish or corals you have but you might want more than one tub,one for rock one for fish one for coral and make sure you have heat and circulation for the livestock. The temp can drop rapidly depending upon room temperature more than anything also something will most likely go wrong or take longer than you expect and you dont want your critters paying the price,good luck.
al mc
Active Member
All good advice above. IMHO, I would still go with new sand. I tried saving sand once and had to do massive water changes because of the nitrate release. One poster indicated rinsing the sand in saktwater..have not tried this, but it may work. It certainly is a good 'middle ground' between reusing old sand and using new.