Upgrading advice

BeeMac · 11/30/2013, 05:21 AM

We are about to upgrade from our 55g to 180g.

What would be the suggested way of doing this? Our 55g is doing well with about 60lbs of LR, 5-6 softies, and a few fish. Should I set the tank up as new and wait out the cycle period or would I be able to transfer over the LR, sand, and water?

I would like to minimize cycle wait time but would also like to start without having some of the pests that I have now (bristle worms, aptasia) Suggestions are greratly appreciated.

Cozwey · 11/30/2013, 06:13 AM

Basically you CAN move your rock over to a new tank but you have to be very careful. Remember that your LR is like factory. It will only work to its max potential. If you suddenly increase the water volume and drop in a bigger bio load (IE more livestock) the factory will not keep up. Also if you add additional rock or say live sand you could have a small to med cycle if there is any die off of bacteria.

I would say that if you want to minimize the cycle time then your best bet is to buy mature LR from a trusted source say a good LFS. That will cost more but speed up your process.

domb54 · 11/30/2013, 06:15 AM

Depends on if you're going to add more live rock/sand in my opinion. Dry rock would be best no new pests. Everything stresses on moves or cycling. As long as you watch nitrite and ammonia and willing to do frequent water changes you should be fine. Then again you already have a tank so why risk anything unless you don't have the space

BeeMac · 11/30/2013, 07:13 AM

Thanks! I will be adding more LR to the bigger tank when I make the switch but was really curious about the sand....would I be better off to go with all new sand? I would like to not have any bristle worms but have yet figured out if they are hiding in the sand or LR.

I wouldnt be adding any new livestock to the 180g for a little while other than what I already have in the 55g.

BlindZide · 11/30/2013, 07:24 AM

If you move stuff from the old tank to the new tank you most likely will have a mini cycle. Also, if you add sand or rock to the new tank, another chance of a cycle. I would set the new tank up with new sand and the new lot of rocks you want. Let it cycle THEN switch not using old water or old sand. Just transfer the rock and then fish.

sculptor · 11/30/2013, 08:41 AM

I would not use your old sand. Scooping it up and transfering will create a sh*tstorm. Why don't you want bristleworms? They are a useful part of your cleanup crew. And if you use live rock they will come in it, and most likely so will aiptasia.

11/30/2013, 05:21 AM	#1
BeeMac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 7	Upgrading advice We are about to upgrade from our 55g to 180g. What would be the suggested way of doing this? Our 55g is doing well with about 60lbs of LR, 5-6 softies, and a few fish. Should I set the tank up as new and wait out the cycle period or would I be able to transfer over the LR, sand, and water? I would like to minimize cycle wait time but would also like to start without having some of the pests that I have now (bristle worms, aptasia) Suggestions are greratly appreciated.

11/30/2013, 06:13 AM	#2
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	Basically you CAN move your rock over to a new tank but you have to be very careful. Remember that your LR is like factory. It will only work to its max potential. If you suddenly increase the water volume and drop in a bigger bio load (IE more livestock) the factory will not keep up. Also if you add additional rock or say live sand you could have a small to med cycle if there is any die off of bacteria. I would say that if you want to minimize the cycle time then your best bet is to buy mature LR from a trusted source say a good LFS. That will cost more but speed up your process. __________________ QT, Go Slow, Read the Stickies People!!!! Current Tank Info: 120g FOWLR, 55 Perm QT, Full Apex, Kessil, Reef Octo, MP40's, MP10's, Plumbed ATO, BRS 2 part dosing.

11/30/2013, 07:24 AM	#5
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	If you move stuff from the old tank to the new tank you most likely will have a mini cycle. Also, if you add sand or rock to the new tank, another chance of a cycle. I would set the new tank up with new sand and the new lot of rocks you want. Let it cycle THEN switch not using old water or old sand. Just transfer the rock and then fish. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

11/30/2013, 06:15 AM	#3
domb54 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: menomonee falls wisconsin Posts: 143	Depends on if you're going to add more live rock/sand in my opinion. Dry rock would be best no new pests. Everything stresses on moves or cycling. As long as you watch nitrite and ammonia and willing to do frequent water changes you should be fine. Then again you already have a tank so why risk anything unless you don't have the space

11/30/2013, 07:13 AM	#4
BeeMac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 7	Thanks! I will be adding more LR to the bigger tank when I make the switch but was really curious about the sand....would I be better off to go with all new sand? I would like to not have any bristle worms but have yet figured out if they are hiding in the sand or LR. I wouldnt be adding any new livestock to the 180g for a little while other than what I already have in the 55g.

11/30/2013, 08:41 AM	#6
sculptor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 54	I would not use your old sand. Scooping it up and transfering will create a sh*tstorm. Why don't you want bristleworms? They are a useful part of your cleanup crew. And if you use live rock they will come in it, and most likely so will aiptasia.