Moving from 110g to 220g

[bkvreef]

I will be moving from my 110g to a new 220g
Some history:
A year + ago I transfered from a 55g to the 110g and lost most of my corals.
So I'm a little more gun shy now.
Heres my plan (please be critical)
1. set up tank for fish and another for the corals. I will use water from my 110g tank and mix it with new water. I will set up filters to both tanks and let them run for about a week prior to putting fish and corals in. I am doing different tanks so I don't have to set up lights to cover both tanks.
2. take out rock and coral from display tank and put them into transition tank. Once they are all out take out fish and put them in other tank. I may seperate some of the fish into seperate tanks so not too crammed.
3. Here is my big question!!!!! What to do with the sand (which will contain various life forms??????
4. Syphon out water into several rubbermaid containers with powerheads to keep flow going
5. Move 110g out of way.
6. Move in stand. Place 55g sump inside and insert protein skimmer, pump, etc.
7. Put tank on stand (make sure it's level!!!!). Plumb everything!
8. Add base rock (will probably use some new holey rock), then add sand
9. Add water that was syphoned prior to emptying out 110g.
10. Add fish into tank and then add water from their tank.
11. Get water flowing through plumbing.
12. Add corals back into tank.
13. Put canopy onto tank and light er up!!!
Sorry so long winded But please be critical (And especially help on step #3).

 

[veni vidi vici]

Looks like a good plan.The only thing i will be doing differently on my 75 to 125 is after i get the 75 out of the way im going to put my water, LR and livestock back into it minus the sand for a few days untill the new tank is up and running, and i can make sure my old sand isnt going to start to cycle because it was disturbed.If it does then i can let it run its course with no harm to my livestock.

 

[nycustomsumps]

if the sand is been in the system longer then six mos. , you would need to rinse it real good before adding to the new tank.

 

[macs2015]

hey bkvreef i hope your plan works it sounds pretty good and organized. i plant to change my 40G into a 90 or 100 by the end of the year and i'm terrified on how to do it. so if you can please let me know how everything goes so maybe i can learn from your experience.
about question 3. the sand shouldnt be a problem, i think you can just move it around. or i personally would just put the new tank on the floor in front of your current dt. and syphoon the sand (along with some water) out into the new tank. that way your sand won't be out of water at all. the new tank with the sand in it should still be light enough to move around without breaking your back
i think if you do all your steps and turn this thread into a journal with pictures would be great. and on the way ppl can always help you out if any issues come along. please keep posting.

 

[mrinelfrlz]

Originally Posted by bkvreef
http:///forum/post/2625670
I will be moving from my 110g to a new 220g
Some history:
A year + ago I transfered from a 55g to the 110g and lost most of my corals.
what happened for you to loss most of your corals on your last upgrade

im in the process of going from a 75 to a 180
hope all turns out ok

 

[bkvreef]

I think it was a spike and thus I'm worried about moving the sand.
Should I add it back in slowly or just all at once prior to fish and coral?

 

[bkvreef]

about question 3. the sand shouldnt be a problem, i think you can just move it around. or i personally would just put the new tank on the floor in front of your current dt. and syphoon the sand (along with some water) out into the new tank. that way your sand won't be out of water at all. the new tank with the sand in it should still be light enough to move around without breaking your back
I did that with my switch from 55 to 110 and it was a pain.
So I'm going to try switching things this time.

 

[bkvreef]

Originally Posted by nycustomsumps
http:///forum/post/2626447
if the sand is been in the system longer then six mos. , you would need to rinse it real good before adding to the new tank.
Why, I've never heard of that being done?
and how would you do that?

 

[turningtim]

I think it will work just fine! I think its a bit overkill but thats just me.
The sand is pretty easy. I've done this more than a couple times w/o a problem.
Get a metal wire strainer. You can either keep some old water or use some of the water left in the tank.
Fill the strainer about 3/4 of the way with scooped out sand from the DT.
Rinse off with siphoned water from your tank over a trash can or bucket.
Rinse until water is semi clear.
Throw away ick water and place sand in new SW (back in new tank etc).
You will be amazed at the gunk you'll rinse out and you will still have the bacteria/critters in the sand!
HTH
Tim

 

[bkvreef]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
http:///forum/post/2630624
I think it will work just fine! I think its a bit overkill but thats just me.
The sand is pretty easy. I've done this more than a couple times w/o a problem.
Get a metal wire strainer. You can either keep some old water or use some of the water left in the tank.
Fill the strainer about 3/4 of the way with scooped out sand from the DT.
Rinse off with siphoned water from your tank over a trash can or bucket.
Rinse until water is semi clear.
Throw away ick water and place sand in new SW (back in new tank etc).
You will be amazed at the gunk you'll rinse out and you will still have the bacteria/critters in the sand!
HTH
Tim
Thanks!

 

[hammerhed7]

I would say a bit overcautious but that never hurt, the only thing I would do would be to change your choice of base rock. If I am thinking of the same Holey rock you speak of it is limestone, which could mess with your ph and possibly leach unwanted minerals into the water. This rock is commonly used in freshwater cichlid tanks to raise the ph for these hard water fish. I would consider adding actual base rock (tufa) or lace rock.

 

[namas05]

Originally Posted by macs2015
http:///forum/post/2627014
hey bkvreef i hope your plan works it sounds pretty good and organized. i plant to change my 40G into a 90 or 100 by the end of the year and i'm terrified on how to do it. so if you can please let me know how everything goes so maybe i can learn from your experience.
about question 3. the sand shouldnt be a problem, i think you can just move it around. or i personally would just put the new tank on the floor in front of your current dt. and syphoon the sand (along with some water) out into the new tank. that way your sand won't be out of water at all. the new tank with the sand in it should still be light enough to move around without breaking your back
i think if you do all your steps and turn this thread into a journal with pictures would be great. and on the way ppl can always help you out if any issues come along. please keep posting.
I think the plan above is not a good idea. Don't know for fact, but my guess is an empty 220 gallon tank weighs enough without adding 150 lbs or more of wet sand to the tank before lifting it up.
I do think your plan will be fine, just try not to stir the sand up to much when you add the water back in. And any new sand you should rinse well before adding.