Converting to 150 gal Reef

[ILMT]

Hello all! I'm new to RC. I have a 50 gal FOWLR at the moment but I'm going to convert to a 150 gal reef tank. My 50 gal tank has been active since November 2009 and I've had the same fish since. 2 Black & White Occellaris Clown fish and a pair of Similar Damselfish, one of which died back in 2012. Recently though, I took in a Scopas Tang from a friend who could no longer support his tank. I'm planning to convert to a 150 gal so that my Tang has more room and I'm sure my other fish would love a bigger tank.

My question is could I transfer my water, substrate, and live rocks to the bigger tank and just top off what I need from there? I'm sure by now the water is well cycled and I wouldn't want to just throw it away. My 50 gallon tank is just on loan from my aunt and she's going to be taking it back soon so I can't repopulate the smaller tank.

[WaReefer458]

You're going to need a lot more rock but yes. Use as much water from your 50 to the new tank but I'd do a fresh sand bed. Just bury a couple cups of your old sand so it starts with the proper bacteria cultures.

[sith8888]

Originally Posted by WaReefer458

You're going to need a lot more rock but yes. Use as much water from your 50 to the new tank but I'd do a fresh sand bed. Just bury a couple cups of your old sand so it starts with the proper bacteria cultures.

+1

Agree with the idea of starting with new sand and more rock. You can transfer the water or start with new. Transferring is easier since you have 30-40 gallons of water made but you also have "dirty" water. If you have the time and ability make new water for the transfer and acclimate the fish.

I might be wrong but I think you can add new "dead" rock to the tank and use your old live rock. It will transfer the bacteria over time. I just wouldn't make huge changes to the stocking levels until the tank is running a while to prevent another mini-cycle.

[ILMT]

Thanks for you inputs! I'll begin preparations as soon as I get the tank home. I found it at a Garage sale for $75. It's really dusty and could use a really good clean, but overall I'm excited about the possibilities

[greaps]

A 150 sounds sweet. I hope to make that same upgrade someday. I would make all new water unless the nitrates and phosphates were tested and found extremely low. I would hate to get the new tank off to a bad start with lots of extra nuisance algae.

[WaReefer458]

Originally Posted by sith8888

+1



Agree with the idea of starting with new sand and more rock. You can transfer the water or start with new. Transferring is easier since you have 30-40 gallons of water made but you also have "dirty" water. If you have the time and ability make new water for the transfer and acclimate the fish.



I might be wrong but I think you can add new "dead" rock to the tank and use your old live rock. It will transfer the bacteria over time. I just wouldn't make huge changes to the stocking levels until the tank is running a while to prevent another mini-cycle.

If you are going to add it without cycling it I would just add a new piece here and there. You will get some dyoff that will produce mini cycles but I wouldnt just add your current rock plus another 50lbs of new rock and add fish. That is just asking for disaster. Best case scenario would be setting up the new tank and cycle it as a new tank with new rock. Then transfer it over. Or just buy a brute can and cycle the rock with a couple pieces of your old rock before the move. Either way it's not going to go as smooth as anticipated so prepare yourself for something to happen and lose livestock. I'm still yet to make a tank transfer with 100% of the livestock making it. Good luck bro