What Steps to Follow When Upgrading Tank

[euphoria]

Hey guys,
I was just curious, if I'm upgrading to a bigger tank, can I put the fish and corals into the new tank (after it's been cycled of course) all at once or should I do it gradually?
Also, is it safe to put the corals in a new tank, or should I wait for many months so that the tank gets mature and more stable, then place the corals from old tank to new tank?
When I was setting up my old tank, the LFS told me not to put corals in there for a good 6 months until the tank has really become mature and stable. BUT, it would be tough for me to operate two tanks together, and if it's possible to just throw all the fish/corals from old to new tank once cycling is over, that would be a lot easier on me.
What do you say?
Thanks

 

[jb rekit]

If you can salvage a majority of your water and use the same filters etc, then you should be able to put everything in right away. Just monitor the water conditions and have mixed water ready just in case you need to do a small waterchange.
This is how I moved into my new tank a little over a year ago and it went very successfully.
John

 

[euphoria]

I'm going from 60 to 180 gallons, so only 1/3 of the water in the new tank will be matured stable water. I plan to reuse my LS and LR of course.

 

[ags]

A couple years ago I upgraded from a 55 to a 90 gallon tank. I transferred all my fish and corals at once without incident. Like JB said, keep enough premixed water for any emergent water changes and you should be fine. As for your DSB, I suggest getting a large enough scooper to move the DSB in large chunks. Try to move it in sheets where the only thing disturb is the edges of each scoop. Worked well for me.
Good luck.

 

[sk8america]

if u are putting r 180 in another part of the room that would be really easy u can start my moving some lr,ls,and water from ur old tank into the new once and 2 or 3 times a week move more and more then start moving some of your fish in after most of your rock is in there and after the fish move the corals i did this when i moved my 55 to a 95 with no problems.

 

[euphoria]

Well I was going to use the 60 gallon as a refugium, so I can't really move the contents of the 60 gallon over a period of time. The only thing I could do is buy another 60 gallon tank that's used and use that to setup my refugium and all the skimmers inside, then once I empty the contents of the current 60 gallon into the big tank, just sell the tank. I just didn't want to go buy another 60 gallon tank when I had one at home, but if it's the only way, then I guess I have to.
But overall, the general agreement is to put the corals in at last right?
AGS

[hr]
> what's the reason for moving the sandbed w/out disturbing the layers? I was actually thinking of mixing the sandbed up and cleaning some of the dirt layer on top of it. Cuz right now if I put a stick into the sandbed and mix a little bit of it, this very dark dirty looking dust comes off. Will doing what I had in mind kill the bacteria?

 

[ags]

Someone a little more versed in reefkeeping can give a more scientific explanation. However, I think mixing up the sand screws with the balance thus causing a mini cycle. I just remember several posts advising me to do it this way to avoid this. I pretty much followed everyone's advice without any loses so I am passing along what I did.

 

[cougar]

I just have to say congratulations on a nice upgrade. Hope everything does work out for you. That is a big improvement in tank size.

 

[funkyman]

I'm going to be going through this same ordeal soon as well (from a 50 to a 90 or 120). I was told I would have to rinse my sandbed before putting it in the new tank (with saltwater)?? The sandbed I have is 6 months old. Would I really have to do this?

 

[ohiorn67]

Hi....me too, getting ready to upgrade. I was thinking......take down old tank.....and put in big rubbermaid bins...move tank out of way and set up the new tank.....going to use new live sand....but I was thinkinf of putting just a couple of scoops of my old sand bed in just to move it along. then was going to use as much of my water as I can but there won't be much for new tank, but some. Put on my old cannister filter for a few weeks until my new sump and stuff becomes established and I have tons of live rock to move over. I am hoping to prevent an ammonia spike and want to get my new tank setup and livestock in within the same day or next day but we shall see how that works out. Any other ideas I would love to have. I hear mixing around your old sand can cause spikes and stuff because of bad stuff and toxic accumulation under the sand bed, so was going to use fresh new live sand....make sure temp same as my bins of fish and all....make sure readings are about the same and in go the corals first for aquascaping on the rock and them my fish..I figure they will be stressed but will appreciate the change. Now if I can ever find that new tank...looking for a used 125 or greater in tennessee or surrounding area.....

 

[stuckinfla]

Ok, just did this in Nov. 55 to 180. If you can, does your LFS have NSW? Start filling with the NSW, fill tubs with water from smaller tank, add corals and fish to tubs. Transfer sand, water and rock from small to big.....let settle a bit and test all levels. Start adding corals then fish. Worked for me

 

[teresaq1]

I will be going thru this too but new house and new tank. going from 55 to 150. I plan on using tubs, to put everything in and moving to new house. setting up new tank, and start transfring everything slowly.

 

[golfish]

, it would be tough for me to operate two tanks together,

Tough it out...at least let the new system run a few months after it cycles.

 

[golfish]

Originally Posted by EUPHORIA
, it would be tough for me to operate two tanks together,
Tough it out...at least let the new system run a few months after it cycles.

 

[cougar]

Make sure you have a good water movement in your tubs. I would suggest using the sand from your old tanks, it is possible to limit the amount of mixing of the sand. Be PATIENT. I went from a 55 to a 120 a couple of years ago, don't get too anxious to see the new tank.