Moving advice

TLe · 01/24/2015, 11:16 AM

Hi,
I'm setting up a new 220g at work and currently I have 90g at home want to move everything into the new 220g.

I have had bad experience with moving before so I really need to plan it well and need as much as advice if I can.

My last moving I think what cause the disaster is when I'm catching everything I must have stir up the sand and spike up the ammonia.

So this time I'm thinking of setup the 220 as a new setup then just move LR over first then fishes. I only have some mushroom polyps and a stalk of frogspawn I think those can go together with the fishes.

Question: What can I do with the sand. Can I reuse it? I'm building a DSB refuge can I put it in there?

What about the water? Can I reuse it too?

Thanks

thegrun · 01/24/2015, 11:40 AM

I assume you are adding your existing live rock to new rock you plan on cycling in the 220 before you make the transfer, correct?
I would not reuse your old sand save a few cupfuls to seed the new sand if your 90g has been set up for 6 months or more. Old sand beds trap a lot of detritus which can cause a lot of issues in you new system if you try to reuse the sand. I would try to reuse as much of the water from your old system as possible when you make the transfer to reduce the shock on the livestock; you want the water parameters to be as close as possible in the new system to your old tank, particularly salinity, pH and temperature.

billdogg · 01/24/2015, 11:51 AM

If it were me, I would do the set up as you have planned. I would use fresh (dry) sand in the new tank, but go ahead and reuse the old sand for the DSB refugium.

Get the new one set up with water first, to the correct temp and salinity. I'm guessing you will have to use more dry rock to get it how you like it unless your 90g is stuffed full. Use the new rock as your base, then add well rinsed dry sand (tap water works fine, especially considering the amount of water it takes to do it well). Placing rocks on top of the sand invites rock slides in the future as sand moves and things burrow down. Then move your live rock and get it arranged how you like it. If you keep the live rock wet during the move, you should have little to no die-off and therefore either a very short or no cycle in the new system, so you may very well be able to move the livestock the same day. To be safe, I'd wait a couple days just to make sure, if you can. Test the new tank after a couple days for Ammonia and Nitrite. If both are 0, move the livestock. Seed the new sand with a cup or two of your old sand and it will be good to go.

Don't waste your time and effort moving the old water. It has nothing in it that your new tank will need, so why bother. Instead, use all of that water to thoroughly rinse out your old sand so that it can be used for the DSB refugium.

Plan on this taking at least twice as long as you think it will, and it will all go smoothly. Rush it and problems will occur. Don't ask how I know this, but I do. Just trust me!

Good luck, and post pictures!

TLe · 01/24/2015, 03:58 PM

Thank you for the advices. Hopefully this will be a successful move.

Attach is pictures of my new setup. Still working on the sump once that done tank will go in.

TLe · 01/24/2015, 04:00 PM

Just finish the sheet rock

TLe · 01/24/2015, 04:08 PM

Also I want to ask since u guys see my fish room.

Is it better I remove the drop ceiling for better ventilation or should I have it enclosed with or without HVAC vent.

01/24/2015, 11:16 AM	#1
TLe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 16	Moving advice Hi, I'm setting up a new 220g at work and currently I have 90g at home want to move everything into the new 220g. I have had bad experience with moving before so I really need to plan it well and need as much as advice if I can. My last moving I think what cause the disaster is when I'm catching everything I must have stir up the sand and spike up the ammonia. So this time I'm thinking of setup the 220 as a new setup then just move LR over first then fishes. I only have some mushroom polyps and a stalk of frogspawn I think those can go together with the fishes. Question: What can I do with the sand. Can I reuse it? I'm building a DSB refuge can I put it in there? What about the water? Can I reuse it too? Thanks

01/24/2015, 11:51 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	If it were me, I would do the set up as you have planned. I would use fresh (dry) sand in the new tank, but go ahead and reuse the old sand for the DSB refugium. Get the new one set up with water first, to the correct temp and salinity. I'm guessing you will have to use more dry rock to get it how you like it unless your 90g is stuffed full. Use the new rock as your base, then add well rinsed dry sand (tap water works fine, especially considering the amount of water it takes to do it well). Placing rocks on top of the sand invites rock slides in the future as sand moves and things burrow down. Then move your live rock and get it arranged how you like it. If you keep the live rock wet during the move, you should have little to no die-off and therefore either a very short or no cycle in the new system, so you may very well be able to move the livestock the same day. To be safe, I'd wait a couple days just to make sure, if you can. Test the new tank after a couple days for Ammonia and Nitrite. If both are 0, move the livestock. Seed the new sand with a cup or two of your old sand and it will be good to go. Don't waste your time and effort moving the old water. It has nothing in it that your new tank will need, so why bother. Instead, use all of that water to thoroughly rinse out your old sand so that it can be used for the DSB refugium. Plan on this taking at least twice as long as you think it will, and it will all go smoothly. Rush it and problems will occur. Don't ask how I know this, but I do. Just trust me! Good luck, and post pictures! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/24/2015, 11:40 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I assume you are adding your existing live rock to new rock you plan on cycling in the 220 before you make the transfer, correct? I would not reuse your old sand save a few cupfuls to seed the new sand if your 90g has been set up for 6 months or more. Old sand beds trap a lot of detritus which can cause a lot of issues in you new system if you try to reuse the sand. I would try to reuse as much of the water from your old system as possible when you make the transfer to reduce the shock on the livestock; you want the water parameters to be as close as possible in the new system to your old tank, particularly salinity, pH and temperature.

01/24/2015, 04:08 PM	#6
TLe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 16	Also I want to ask since u guys see my fish room. Is it better I remove the drop ceiling for better ventilation or should I have it enclosed with or without HVAC vent.