Suggestions on upgrading my tank

[drtash]

I have `120 gal tank..... just bought a 220 gal. Suggestions.
I have some live sand and live rock.... the proper amount would include my 120 gal. How do I procede? Do I cycle the tank and than slowly introduce my 120 live rock and sand?
suggestions?

 

[prime311]

Is anything in the 120 right now, like livestock?

 

[hlcroghan]

If you have no livestock then you could just put it all in the tank and add the extra and it would cut down on the cycle time immensely because you would already have the beneficial bacteria.

 

[ilovemytank]

wow, the fun of setting up and planning a new tank, especially a big one. If your old tank has livestock in it then I wouldn't move the sand or substrate. There is alot of bad nitrites and ammonia to be stirred up and released. Iwould definately move live rock and everything else including as much water as you can get out without stirring up the substrate. this will put the cycling of the tank to almost no time ( it vary from none to more depending on ewhat you are moving ) at all. Need more info though. What type of fish or reef are you planning ?

 

[drtash]

are you saying not to use my live sand from the current tank

 

[ilovemytank]

Yes. Don't use your live sand from your intial tank. They trap alot of beneficial bacterias but they also trap more nitrates and ammonia. by moving the sand you will release all of this and cause a nitrite spike that can be very deadly to your fish and into the new tank. It could actually lead to you having the cycle the tank for alonger time as well as a huge risk of loss if you move it. Buy new sand and move everything else.

 

[masterid]

It's good to set a new fish tank specially the big one. There are lot of decorative accessories you can use in your fish tank.
Before gravel goes into the tank, it should be rinsed in a strainer until the water runs clear. Then, spread the gravel evenly along the bottom of the tank. If the gravel is sloped slightly in the back, the fish will stay closer to the front of the tank, where they are more visible. Before tank decorations go into the tank, they should be washed with lukewarm water. When being placed inside, it is usually best to cover the bottom of the items with gravel to help keep them in place.