please advise

[keish24]

i am getting ready to move everything from my 55 over to my new 90. visited with a lfs guy the other day about doing so. he told me that when i move it all over i will probably only be able to save 30-35 gal of my old water and i would need to purchase about 35 gallons of bio water (water they pull out of their tanks). what do you guys think? do i really need to purchase some bio water or will i be okay just mixing up some new salt water? also...if they always say not to put the water from the bag into your tank when you buy a fish is it really safe to get this bio water that comes straight out of their tank??

 

[jimvette1]

First, congratulations on the new tank,

Second, R U sure the water they want you to "buy" is BIO water or just their RODI salt water?

If the latter is true then just use your own.
IMO, I would not like to mix their tank water with my system.
Don't know what your getting from their tank in the way of diseases.
Third, where did they come up with the 35 gallon formula?
Sounds like the LFS just wants to make a sale.
Just my .02

 

[renogaw]

just mix up your own salt. use up all your existing water as well.
not only is there the possibility of diseases as mentioned above, but supposedly you don't want to mix their water with yours due to bacteria differences.

 

[errattiq]

+1 on that one. How long has your 55gal been established? As far as I'm concerned if your tank is cycled then whatever filtration method you're using has the necessary buildup of bacteria for a 55gal system. What you need to do is salvage as much of your 55 gallons of old water as possible, and use 35 gallons of new water. Remember, immediately move your established filtration to the new tank immediately. If you look at it this way, essentially it will have the same effect as doing a 38% water change if the 90 was an already established system. Should have a negligible effect on the system... I did the same thing when I moved my 29g into my 55g. That move included two small tangs, 2 clownfish, a colt coral, some xenia, and a goniopora and nothing was lost or even slightly effected by the move. Good luck and stay far from that fish store for advice, check here 1st. We have a tendency to save you $$ and subsequently save your patience for this hobby lol.
PS. I'd personally use new live sand, or just save a cup of old livesand to seed the new dead sand in the new tank. That way you won't have to worry about a water parameter spike...
-Josh P.

 

[keish24]

thanks....i wondered if it was a sales kind of thing or legit. thats why i wanted to run it by here. thanks for the feedback....will be mixing my own water.
as for the sand....i had been debating that. that same guy told me to mix it up and pour salt water on it and mix it up again. i was worried about a spike from doing that so i had also been thinking about going with new sand. a little more expensive but i think i will probably go ahead and do new sand. i dont want to lose the livestock i have due to any kind of spike.

 

[spanko]

If you can't thoroughly rinse the old sand, and I do mean thoroughly, then it would be best to get new dry sand IMO.

 

[trouble93]

Originally Posted by keish24
http:///forum/post/2912836
i am getting ready to move everything from my 55 over to my new 90. visited with a lfs guy the other day about doing so. he told me that when i move it all over i will probably only be able to save 30-35 gal of my old water and i would need to purchase about 35 gallons of bio water (water they pull out of their tanks). what do you guys think? do i really need to purchase some bio water or will i be okay just mixing up some new salt water? also...if they always say not to put the water from the bag into your tank when you buy a fish is it really safe to get this bio water that comes straight out of their tank??
I just did this this past weekend, but I was coming out of 3 tanks...Did a WC in all 3 as I went along used the water I took up for the changes made up the rest with new water. IMO I wouldn't use any of your old sand...If something went wrong it might be to late don't take the chance. You will save more in the long run buying new.