ubiquitous
New Member
hey guys. i'm switching to a smaller fish tank, should i add the water and substrate(sand) from the bigger fish tank to my new smaller one? thanks guys.
switching tank question
- Thread starter ubiquitous
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flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ubiquitous http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470273
hey guys. i'm switching to a smaller fish tank, should i add the water and substrate(sand) from the bigger fish tank to my new smaller one? thanks guys.
Welcome to the site.....I would, and rock too...that way you won't have a cycle. Why the downsize?
Originally Posted by ubiquitous http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470273
hey guys. i'm switching to a smaller fish tank, should i add the water and substrate(sand) from the bigger fish tank to my new smaller one? thanks guys.
Welcome to the site.....I would, and rock too...that way you won't have a cycle. Why the downsize?
rickross23
Active Member
Good question!
ubiquitous
New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470282
Welcome to the site.....I would, and rock too...that way you won't have a cycle. Why the downsize?
thanks for the help! and the warm welcome. we're trying to cut down on costs.
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470282
Welcome to the site.....I would, and rock too...that way you won't have a cycle. Why the downsize?
thanks for the help! and the warm welcome. we're trying to cut down on costs.
rickross23
Active Member
There are LOTS of costs in Saltwater! Trust me!
btldreef
Moderator
To be completely honest, having a smaller tank does not necessarily mean a smaller cost. My nano tends to cost me more as I need to do more frequent water changes, etc.
Anyways, I would use new sand and seed it with a cup or two of the sand from the tank you have now. Don't use all the sand out of your system that's up now, stirring it up too much can really release some nasty toxins and you don't want to add them to a new tank. I would definitely use your rock again, and as for the water, it doesn't make a difference. I would just do new water and let the tank stand for a few days with some of the rock from your current tank and make sure there are no spikes, since it sounds like you don't want to do a full cycle and run two tanks at once.
Anyways, I would use new sand and seed it with a cup or two of the sand from the tank you have now. Don't use all the sand out of your system that's up now, stirring it up too much can really release some nasty toxins and you don't want to add them to a new tank. I would definitely use your rock again, and as for the water, it doesn't make a difference. I would just do new water and let the tank stand for a few days with some of the rock from your current tank and make sure there are no spikes, since it sounds like you don't want to do a full cycle and run two tanks at once.
ubiquitous
New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470335
To be completely honest, having a smaller tank does not necessarily mean a smaller cost. My nano tends to cost me more as I need to do more frequent water changes, etc.
Anyways, I would use new sand and seed it with a cup or two of the sand from the tank you have now. Don't use all the sand out of your system that's up now, stirring it up too much can really release some nasty toxins and you don't want to add them to a new tank. I would definitely use your rock again, and as for the water, it doesn't make a difference. I would just do new water and let the tank stand for a few days with some of the rock from your current tank and make sure there are no spikes, since it sounds like you don't want to do a full cycle and run two tanks at once.
really? doesn't it help with electrical costs? another question: if i take water, rocks, and two cups of sand from my established tank would adding some new live sand to the new one cause a cycle?
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470335
To be completely honest, having a smaller tank does not necessarily mean a smaller cost. My nano tends to cost me more as I need to do more frequent water changes, etc.
Anyways, I would use new sand and seed it with a cup or two of the sand from the tank you have now. Don't use all the sand out of your system that's up now, stirring it up too much can really release some nasty toxins and you don't want to add them to a new tank. I would definitely use your rock again, and as for the water, it doesn't make a difference. I would just do new water and let the tank stand for a few days with some of the rock from your current tank and make sure there are no spikes, since it sounds like you don't want to do a full cycle and run two tanks at once.
really? doesn't it help with electrical costs? another question: if i take water, rocks, and two cups of sand from my established tank would adding some new live sand to the new one cause a cycle?
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by ubiquitous http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470476
really? doesn't it help with electrical costs? another question: if i take water, rocks, and two cups of sand from my established tank would adding some new live sand to the new one cause a cycle?
As far as electrical costs, yes and no. My smaller tank tends to get hotter much quicker, especially in the warmer months, so I have to run a chiller on it year round. The chiller draws a TON of electricity. My larger systems all run on LEDs, so the electrical cost isn't so bad.
The water from the old tank will not make a difference. The new sand alone won't cause a cycle and if you're seeding it with a little bit of established sand and fully cured live rock from your other tank, you should be ok. You're just going to have to monitor things and plan accordingly. I have moved things from one tank to another overnight by just seeding new sand and using established live rock.
One suggestion. Purchase some foam pads and place them in your tank for a week or two (or more, the longer the better). Move them to the new tank when you move the rock and sand. These pads will help with collecting beneficial bacteria which will help in the new tank. Leave them in the new tank for a few weeks until things looks stable and then remove.
Originally Posted by ubiquitous http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470476
really? doesn't it help with electrical costs? another question: if i take water, rocks, and two cups of sand from my established tank would adding some new live sand to the new one cause a cycle?
As far as electrical costs, yes and no. My smaller tank tends to get hotter much quicker, especially in the warmer months, so I have to run a chiller on it year round. The chiller draws a TON of electricity. My larger systems all run on LEDs, so the electrical cost isn't so bad.
The water from the old tank will not make a difference. The new sand alone won't cause a cycle and if you're seeding it with a little bit of established sand and fully cured live rock from your other tank, you should be ok. You're just going to have to monitor things and plan accordingly. I have moved things from one tank to another overnight by just seeding new sand and using established live rock.
One suggestion. Purchase some foam pads and place them in your tank for a week or two (or more, the longer the better). Move them to the new tank when you move the rock and sand. These pads will help with collecting beneficial bacteria which will help in the new tank. Leave them in the new tank for a few weeks until things looks stable and then remove.
ubiquitous
New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470478
As far as electrical costs, yes and no. My smaller tank tends to get hotter much quicker, especially in the warmer months, so I have to run a chiller on it year round. The chiller draws a TON of electricity. My larger systems all run on LEDs, so the electrical cost isn't so bad.
The water from the old tank will not make a difference. The new sand alone won't cause a cycle and if you're seeding it with a little bit of established sand and fully cured live rock from your other tank, you should be ok. You're just going to have to monitor things and plan accordingly. I have moved things from one tank to another overnight by just seeding new sand and using established live rock.
One suggestion. Purchase some foam pads and place them in your tank for a week or two (or more, the longer the better). Move them to the new tank when you move the rock and sand. These pads will help with collecting beneficial bacteria which will help in the new tank. Leave them in the new tank for a few weeks until things looks stable and then remove.
thanks for all the help! specially the foam pad idea. that's genius. take care.
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/391360/switching-tank-question#post_3470478
As far as electrical costs, yes and no. My smaller tank tends to get hotter much quicker, especially in the warmer months, so I have to run a chiller on it year round. The chiller draws a TON of electricity. My larger systems all run on LEDs, so the electrical cost isn't so bad.
The water from the old tank will not make a difference. The new sand alone won't cause a cycle and if you're seeding it with a little bit of established sand and fully cured live rock from your other tank, you should be ok. You're just going to have to monitor things and plan accordingly. I have moved things from one tank to another overnight by just seeding new sand and using established live rock.
One suggestion. Purchase some foam pads and place them in your tank for a week or two (or more, the longer the better). Move them to the new tank when you move the rock and sand. These pads will help with collecting beneficial bacteria which will help in the new tank. Leave them in the new tank for a few weeks until things looks stable and then remove.
thanks for all the help! specially the foam pad idea. that's genius. take care.