Tank Upgrade

kattsue · 01/28/2010, 02:36 PM

Am in the process of upgrading my tank from 30 gallon (no sump) to 65 reef ready with 20 gallon sump. Have about 60 lbs live rock and 60 dry rock. My question is - should I use all my old sand from my current tank? I have my dry rock in a trashcan with saltwater, some live rock and sand from my tank with a heater and powerhead. All levels in vat with dry rock are 0. Can I just transfer everything over (fish and corals)/

peasofme · 01/28/2010, 07:21 PM

yes, just transfer everything including your old water. that way you won't have to cycle.

Octoshark · 01/28/2010, 07:51 PM

The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are "0" in the container holding your old sand? Has that sand been mixed up?

The reason I ask is because a DSB can store waste within it, and once disturbed, may release all of that waste. However, if you already took the sand out of the old tank and put it in a trashcan with water (meaning all the sand got mixed up in the transfer process) and the levels are still "0" then the waste release should not be as much of a concern. If you would like to play it safe, rinse the sand really well.

kattsue · 01/30/2010, 06:18 PM

I didn't transfer all old sand to trashcan, just a scoop of it along with a couple pieces of live rock. I was thinking I would probably not use all old sand but do I need to use some of it to seed new sand or will live rock do that?

Sisterlimonpot · 01/30/2010, 06:29 PM

How deep is/was your old sand bed? If it was deeper than 5 inches you're going to want to clean the sand before reusing it. if it was less than 5" than you may be able to reuse it with no problems. How old was your 30 gallon?

kattsue · 01/31/2010, 06:16 AM

Old sand bed was about 4" and it's about 2 years old. Looks dirty though - don't think I have enough snails and such in it.

Sisterlimonpot · 01/31/2010, 10:46 AM

That is border line, If you are going to reuse it I would probably give it a good rinsing with tap water.

jenjen · 01/31/2010, 11:45 AM

I wouldn't re-use it unless you need to save the $ and don't want to buy new. In that case give it a good wash before it goes into the new tank.

If you use new dry sand, I would add a couple of scoops of your old sand to seed it. You don't 'have to', but it speeds up the process vs waiting for all the little critters to show up on their own.

01/28/2010, 02:36 PM	#1
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	Tank Upgrade Am in the process of upgrading my tank from 30 gallon (no sump) to 65 reef ready with 20 gallon sump. Have about 60 lbs live rock and 60 dry rock. My question is - should I use all my old sand from my current tank? I have my dry rock in a trashcan with saltwater, some live rock and sand from my tank with a heater and powerhead. All levels in vat with dry rock are 0. Can I just transfer everything over (fish and corals)/

01/28/2010, 07:51 PM	#3
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are "0" in the container holding your old sand? Has that sand been mixed up? The reason I ask is because a DSB can store waste within it, and once disturbed, may release all of that waste. However, if you already took the sand out of the old tank and put it in a trashcan with water (meaning all the sand got mixed up in the transfer process) and the levels are still "0" then the waste release should not be as much of a concern. If you would like to play it safe, rinse the sand really well. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

01/30/2010, 06:29 PM	#5
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	How deep is/was your old sand bed? If it was deeper than 5 inches you're going to want to clean the sand before reusing it. if it was less than 5" than you may be able to reuse it with no problems. How old was your 30 gallon? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

01/31/2010, 10:46 AM	#7
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	That is border line, If you are going to reuse it I would probably give it a good rinsing with tap water. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

01/31/2010, 11:45 AM	#8
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I wouldn't re-use it unless you need to save the $ and don't want to buy new. In that case give it a good wash before it goes into the new tank. If you use new dry sand, I would add a couple of scoops of your old sand to seed it. You don't 'have to', but it speeds up the process vs waiting for all the little critters to show up on their own. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

01/28/2010, 07:21 PM	#2
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	yes, just transfer everything including your old water. that way you won't have to cycle.

01/30/2010, 06:18 PM	#4
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	I didn't transfer all old sand to trashcan, just a scoop of it along with a couple pieces of live rock. I was thinking I would probably not use all old sand but do I need to use some of it to seed new sand or will live rock do that?

01/31/2010, 06:16 AM	#6
kattsue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 456	Old sand bed was about 4" and it's about 2 years old. Looks dirty though - don't think I have enough snails and such in it.