transfer water into new tank

ben&bobbi · 02/12/2008, 12:12 PM

I want to start a prop/QT tank. My idea is to do some water changes from the main display and dump the water into the new tank to avoid the new cycling time. I will use new sand and rock still.

However, is there anyway to make sure i will not transfer any pests with the water? Like any type of flat worms, red bugs, whatever! Don't think i have issues, but you never know till they have done the damage.

Or do i flatworm exit and interceptor the tank before adding anything?

wrott · 02/12/2008, 12:20 PM

I would use fresh salt water in the new tank, old water really doesn't have any benefit and does not detriments (nutrients, etc..)

My-eel-bit-me · 02/12/2008, 01:57 PM

I dont see any problem using some of the water from your main tank. If there was pests you would have noticed them in your main.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/12/2008, 02:49 PM

Using old water does not avoid cycling. The water itself does not cycle in that sense. It is the filtration surfaces that house bacteria that cycle. Still, using old water will more quickly bring the right bacteria to those surfaces so they can start to colonize the dead rocks and sand.

ben&bobbi · 02/12/2008, 09:18 PM

Well, here is the actual setup.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1305573

The 20g anemone tank has some live rock in it, i will need to add more, but it will be dry rock.

I know i can't use all the sand from the old tank, but will add a couple pounds. The new sand will also not be live.

the small refugium from the 20g is also established.

the lower tank will have no sand but maybe some dry base rock.

as far as pests, the anemone tank does have the red flat worms, i want to hit it with Flat Worm Exit each time before removing the water. I plan for a 50/50 split between existing water and fresh water.

I am hoping this will allow for a short cycle time so i can add the SPS frags to grow out!

I know someone will say i need to be more patient, but when others upgrade, surely they are not running 2 complete tanks at the same time for about a year.

02/12/2008, 12:12 PM	#1
ben&bobbi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: mims, fl Posts: 1,063	transfer water into new tank I want to start a prop/QT tank. My idea is to do some water changes from the main display and dump the water into the new tank to avoid the new cycling time. I will use new sand and rock still. However, is there anyway to make sure i will not transfer any pests with the water? Like any type of flat worms, red bugs, whatever! Don't think i have issues, but you never know till they have done the damage. Or do i flatworm exit and interceptor the tank before adding anything?

02/12/2008, 12:20 PM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I would use fresh salt water in the new tank, old water really doesn't have any benefit and does not detriments (nutrients, etc..) __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

02/12/2008, 02:49 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Using old water does not avoid cycling. The water itself does not cycle in that sense. It is the filtration surfaces that house bacteria that cycle. Still, using old water will more quickly bring the right bacteria to those surfaces so they can start to colonize the dead rocks and sand. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/12/2008, 01:57 PM	#3
My-eel-bit-me Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 67	I dont see any problem using some of the water from your main tank. If there was pests you would have noticed them in your main.

02/12/2008, 09:18 PM	#5
ben&bobbi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: mims, fl Posts: 1,063	Well, here is the actual setup. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1305573 The 20g anemone tank has some live rock in it, i will need to add more, but it will be dry rock. I know i can't use all the sand from the old tank, but will add a couple pounds. The new sand will also not be live. the small refugium from the 20g is also established. the lower tank will have no sand but maybe some dry base rock. as far as pests, the anemone tank does have the red flat worms, i want to hit it with Flat Worm Exit each time before removing the water. I plan for a 50/50 split between existing water and fresh water. I am hoping this will allow for a short cycle time so i can add the SPS frags to grow out! I know someone will say i need to be more patient, but when others upgrade, surely they are not running 2 complete tanks at the same time for about a year.