New 125 setup questions

gowingsgo · 04/02/2009, 08:09 AM

I currently have a 60 gallon reef tank that I will be replacing with a New 125 gallon tank
The problem I am going to have is I would like to turn the 60 gallon into my sump and fuge.
What should be done with the fish and live rock and all the other stuff living in my tank well I am making the new sump out of my old tank?
Should I save the water from my water changes so I wont have to use all new water in the 125?
Should I use the sand from my old tank along with the new sand (new sand will be dry sand) so the tank will cycle faster?
After I put my new tank and sump in place will it be safe to put my fish and other live stuff in or will this new tank take time to cycle?
Most of my live rock has stuff growing on it so will that stuff die when put in the new tank?
I know this is a lot to answer but your help in this would be very much appreciated
Thanks

power boat jim · 04/02/2009, 12:06 PM

Best thing to do is remove everything from the old tank and put it in rubbermaid containers. Setup the new tank and sump. Mix old and new sand together in new tank. put in mix of old and new water, put rock and the rest of the inhabitants into new tank.

There wont be much of a cycle as long as you use the same sand and live rock. How much old water you use doesent make much difference either as long as the parameters are fairly close with the new water (pH alk and temp). I changed tanks several years back and did it in one day as described above with no casualties.

Alaskan Reefer · 04/02/2009, 01:48 PM

Rubbermaids are your friend. My fish and corals have lived in them for over a week during tank overhauls. Make sure to keep some amount of light, flow, and filtration (water changes the easiest) going and a Rubbermaid can perform just like a normal tank. Save as much tank water as you can to use in the new tank. I'd use only a cup or two of the old sand in the new tank unless it's a well maintained shallow bed -- anything stored in the old sand (as in, nutrients) will be transferred to the new tank otherwise. You'll have a small cycle regardless, but shouldn't involve more than cleaning up some diatoms etc. Keep it skimmed wet, do steady water changes during that mini cycle and everything should be just fine.

Congrats on the 125 -- pretty ideal size for a tank if you asked me.

gowingsgo · 04/03/2009, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the answers it was very helpful I will post some photos when its done. Hope to do this next week

04/02/2009, 08:09 AM	#1
gowingsgo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 175	New 125 setup questions I currently have a 60 gallon reef tank that I will be replacing with a New 125 gallon tank The problem I am going to have is I would like to turn the 60 gallon into my sump and fuge. What should be done with the fish and live rock and all the other stuff living in my tank well I am making the new sump out of my old tank? Should I save the water from my water changes so I wont have to use all new water in the 125? Should I use the sand from my old tank along with the new sand (new sand will be dry sand) so the tank will cycle faster? After I put my new tank and sump in place will it be safe to put my fish and other live stuff in or will this new tank take time to cycle? Most of my live rock has stuff growing on it so will that stuff die when put in the new tank? I know this is a lot to answer but your help in this would be very much appreciated Thanks

04/02/2009, 01:48 PM	#3
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Rubbermaids are your friend. My fish and corals have lived in them for over a week during tank overhauls. Make sure to keep some amount of light, flow, and filtration (water changes the easiest) going and a Rubbermaid can perform just like a normal tank. Save as much tank water as you can to use in the new tank. I'd use only a cup or two of the old sand in the new tank unless it's a well maintained shallow bed -- anything stored in the old sand (as in, nutrients) will be transferred to the new tank otherwise. You'll have a small cycle regardless, but shouldn't involve more than cleaning up some diatoms etc. Keep it skimmed wet, do steady water changes during that mini cycle and everything should be just fine. Congrats on the 125 -- pretty ideal size for a tank if you asked me. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/02/2009, 12:06 PM	#2
power boat jim Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wisconsin, The big peninsula Posts: 2,100	Best thing to do is remove everything from the old tank and put it in rubbermaid containers. Setup the new tank and sump. Mix old and new sand together in new tank. put in mix of old and new water, put rock and the rest of the inhabitants into new tank. There wont be much of a cycle as long as you use the same sand and live rock. How much old water you use doesent make much difference either as long as the parameters are fairly close with the new water (pH alk and temp). I changed tanks several years back and did it in one day as described above with no casualties.

04/03/2009, 08:55 AM	#4
gowingsgo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 175	Thanks for the answers it was very helpful I will post some photos when its done. Hope to do this next week