lucyloo
New Member
I have a 20g saltwater tank that has been set up for nearly 3 years now.
I purchased a 40g acrylic tank and with the help of a talented friend, built a strong and beautiful oak stand for it.
My question is, how exactly should I be making this short "move" from one tank to the other?
Here is what is going on so far:
I purchased dry base rock (about 20 lbs. to add to my 20+ lbs. of live rock in the old tank) and plunked some into the old tank about a week ago. My thoughts were that any small amount of bacteria colonization that might occur would help when I add the base rock to the new tank. Right?
I also dug an old power filter out, added a sponge and a pad with carbon and put that on my old tank in addition to the filter with bio wheel that has been there the whole time. Again, my thoughts were that if I can get extra bacteria growing in the filter media, it will boost the new tank.
I used a 17 gallon plastic tote to mix some salt water a few days ago when I was bored
Here are the steps I think I should take. Someone please correct any mistakes, don't be shy!
1. Set up stand with tank, of course. I have some laminate floor underlayment which is a thin, high density foam for under the tank.
2. Rinse the 40 lbs. of dry reef sand and add to tank.
3. Add the pre-mixed water that I have on hand.
Here is where it gets tricky.
4. Arrange base rock and live rock. But how much of it? Should I put most of my rock into the new tank?
5. Add a few cupfulls of the live sand from my old tank. Again - how much?
6. Add water from my old tank - how many gallons can I afford to remove (and then replace with new water) without hurting the inhabitants?
7. Get the heater/filters/powerhead/air pump/old sponge filter running.
8. Add the yellow tail damsel that I already have, plus a couple other damsels?
If I am adding all of this bacteria saturated material to the new tank, how long do I need to wait before I can start introducing my old fish and creatures?
If it helps, here is a list of my current livestock:
2 false percula clowns
1 royal gramma
1 green clown goby
1 yellow tail damsel
1 big brittle star
2 mithrax crabs
1 sally lightfoot crab
6 blue leg hermits
2 scarlet hermits
1 left handed hermit
1 big turbo snail
1 astrea snail
2 bumblebee snails
2 peppermint shrimp
Tons of tiny critters (smaller snails, pods, worms etc.)
When and how should I add these guys? Also, what kind of things do you suggest adding next? I was thinking of a banjii cardinal, 6 line wrasse, pearly jawfish maybe? (Not necessarily all 3, of course!)
Thanks, everyone!
I purchased a 40g acrylic tank and with the help of a talented friend, built a strong and beautiful oak stand for it.
My question is, how exactly should I be making this short "move" from one tank to the other?
Here is what is going on so far:
I purchased dry base rock (about 20 lbs. to add to my 20+ lbs. of live rock in the old tank) and plunked some into the old tank about a week ago. My thoughts were that any small amount of bacteria colonization that might occur would help when I add the base rock to the new tank. Right?
I also dug an old power filter out, added a sponge and a pad with carbon and put that on my old tank in addition to the filter with bio wheel that has been there the whole time. Again, my thoughts were that if I can get extra bacteria growing in the filter media, it will boost the new tank.
I used a 17 gallon plastic tote to mix some salt water a few days ago when I was bored
Here are the steps I think I should take. Someone please correct any mistakes, don't be shy!
1. Set up stand with tank, of course. I have some laminate floor underlayment which is a thin, high density foam for under the tank.
2. Rinse the 40 lbs. of dry reef sand and add to tank.
3. Add the pre-mixed water that I have on hand.
Here is where it gets tricky.
4. Arrange base rock and live rock. But how much of it? Should I put most of my rock into the new tank?
5. Add a few cupfulls of the live sand from my old tank. Again - how much?
6. Add water from my old tank - how many gallons can I afford to remove (and then replace with new water) without hurting the inhabitants?
7. Get the heater/filters/powerhead/air pump/old sponge filter running.
8. Add the yellow tail damsel that I already have, plus a couple other damsels?
If I am adding all of this bacteria saturated material to the new tank, how long do I need to wait before I can start introducing my old fish and creatures?
If it helps, here is a list of my current livestock:
2 false percula clowns
1 royal gramma
1 green clown goby
1 yellow tail damsel
1 big brittle star
2 mithrax crabs
1 sally lightfoot crab
6 blue leg hermits
2 scarlet hermits
1 left handed hermit
1 big turbo snail
1 astrea snail
2 bumblebee snails
2 peppermint shrimp
Tons of tiny critters (smaller snails, pods, worms etc.)
When and how should I add these guys? Also, what kind of things do you suggest adding next? I was thinking of a banjii cardinal, 6 line wrasse, pearly jawfish maybe? (Not necessarily all 3, of course!)
Thanks, everyone!
