upgrade

[tjswanson]

I have been thinking of upgrading my 75 FO to a 125-150 FO... My LFS says my filter box could hold up to 150 gal. but I'm leaning towards 125.. The only draw back is that I would need another halide bulb or something and lighting is expensive.. I would love to stack all the LR on one side of the tank and make the other side an open flat for the fish to swim out in the open w/ maybe a little island... My LFS told me they got in a used 125 tank in today so I just wanted to know what all ya think.

 

[broomer5]

Sounds pretty cool ! 125 gallon LR at one end stacked up and sort of an open lagoon at other. Go for it and just use your existing lighting at LR end and have a little darker lagoon for your fish to swim out into. If on a budget like many of us in this hobby, you can always DIY with the lighting, maybe upgrade later. I like the upgrade idea.
Brian

 

[bicolorgod]

I was thinking of same idea, its on another post somewhere way down there. on 1 side... a half.. just sand.. other.. hide.. itd be cool to watch.

 

[mr . salty]

my 125 has one MH in the center with two 36" tubes,end to end across the whole thing. I stacked the rock in an island in the middle. The rest is open for swimming. This looks cool, and the fish like it. Been thinking about adding more MH,but the rock,and anemones see to think the one is enough. Go for it, youll be glad you did,I am. STEVE

 

[tjswanson]

I want to do it... The LFS just got a 125 used w/ glass tops+stand for $340 and he'll give me $175 for my 75 gal. I have the money too.... another Question is I'm kinda scared about moving everything.. I don't want to stress the fish out. I would hate it if my purple tang and juv. emperor died. and if I did sucessfully transfer.. would this be too many fish? purple, sailfin, chevron, sohol or powder blue tang, juv. emperor, 3 chromis+ manderin goby?

 

[4husky]

Hey, sometimes the used ones at lfs's leak, make sure that it doesn't, I don't know how respectable yours is, I know around me they wouldn't tell you, and you buy as is...
~Cat~

 

[mr . salty]

The fish sound cool,but is there any way to keep your old tank for a couple weeks. The new tank will have to cycle. Even if you use all your stuff out of the old tank. Best to use your old substrate, water(if possible),Rock and all. Top off with new water and let it sit. Keep the fish in the old tank with some old gravel,water,and a little rock.Watch the levals,and slowly add the fish into the new tank. This is how I did it,and didn't loose a fish........ STEVE

 

[4husky]

I definantly agree with Steve, I wouldn't 'Cold Turkey' change them to the new tank. And using your current substrate and water will help it cycle the new faster.
~Cat~

 

[fishycouple]

why would a new tank need to cycle if all the stuff in it was from the old tank? It seems to me a tank is pretty stupid!
Just a newbie question!
Rick

 

[mr . salty]

I thought the same thing,but SURPRISE, mine did. Also many ive talked to have said the same thing. Just one of those funny saltwater things I guess........STEVE

 

[tjswanson]

My LFS is very good. He wouldn't knowingly sell me a lemon.. I have done a lot of business w/ him and haven't had trouble yet. He also told me that the new tank woulndn't have to cycle because I'm only adding 50 gal. of water and Mr. salty when you changed didn't you go from a 40g. to a 125g??? I'll ask him again. How long would you let the new tank sit before you start adding fish? I know all ammonia and nitrite have to be a zero but how long do you think it'll take? When I had my new 75 gal. it cycled in 2 weeks!

 

[mr . salty]

I,d let it sit for at least a week. Then start adding one or two fish a week. That may be pushing it. Yes I went from 40 to 125.I added 4 chromis at day three. I'll garentee your new tank WILL cycle. It has to. Keep us informed...STEVE

 

[tjswanson]

Well, I decided to get the tank!! But I am putting all the fish in. With all my live rock and the aragonite sand he said I won't have a problem and when my 75 gal. cycled the ammonia peaked at .25 and I had no nitrite cycle because I added all the live rock at once. I don't think I'll have a problem.. and I will keep you informed everyday about what happens.. I still don't know how I'm going to do the LR but I want it to look awsome!! If anyone wants pics of it when I'm done I'll email them to ya. TJ

 

[mr . salty]

GOOD LUCK loking forward to hearing about your progress.........STEVE

 

[tjswanson]

DAY 1- Well the tank is in place and the fish and everything is up and running great!! It took 4 hours to do everything. The fish seem to be doing just fine.. The emperor acts like nothing even happened but the purple is a little bit more high strung but he is starting to come out of the rocks and swim around a little.. Now I just can't wait untill I can start adding fish! I can have just about any fish I want!!

 

[tjswanson]

The fish made it through the weekend, except for the cleaner wrasse I bought in case of an ich outbreak but thats not a big loss. For the LR I stack 75% of it in the back corner and I put an island on the left side.. The emperor and the purple tang sleep in the same hole!! I think they are best buds..

 

[mr . salty]

COOL,keep us updated.