75 gal upgrade

rgasco1 · 12/09/2005, 01:29 AM

I currently have a 55 gal set and am moving to a new house. In the process I will be upgrading to a 75 gal because I wanted a deeper tank anyway and figured this would be a good time to do it.
Should I set up my new tank and let it cycle for a few weeks in the new hose before breaking down the 55 gal in the old house or is it possible to set up the new tank and break down the old tank all at the same time? Either way works for me I am just worried about my fish and corals durring the transplant. Thanks in advance.

wjhuie · 12/09/2005, 01:37 AM

That would be a good idea. You could use some water from water changes on your 55 to help fill it.

rgasco1 · 12/09/2005, 01:40 AM

I thought about that too. I guess I could store the water in a new trashcan? That would def. help out when I fill the tank. Thanks.

Blown 346 · 12/09/2005, 03:27 AM

I would get everything setup and ready to go for the 75 first. Once you are ready to move, do so and use as much water from the old tank as posssible. In doing so you will not cycle and can enjoy a full tank immediatly.

rgasco1 · 12/09/2005, 10:00 AM

Blown 346
I think this sound like a good idea. I will save the water from my water changes in the 55 also to help fill the tank. Also I will buy some more sand and mix with my live sand before putting in the tank. Thanks for the help.
By the way... Christmas came early... my sump, pumps and skimmers came in. Now to figure out all the plumbing and order the lights.

ouiskariverdude · 12/09/2005, 10:45 AM

In case you aren't a member yet, we've got a club.
www.lareefclub.com

rgasco1 · 12/09/2005, 10:58 AM

ouiskariverdude - thanks i will go check that out

rgasco1 · 12/09/2005, 11:20 AM

Im going to try and get some pictrues of the stand to see what everyone thinks and see if anyone has any ideas or worries. I finished it lastnight so i should get some pics tom. Me and a buddy built it and for once I was happy w/ the final result.

Bippus · 12/09/2005, 12:00 PM

When I did my upgrade from a 55 to a 75 I kept 100% of my old water then had 20g of fresh salt water made up ready to go. It is almost like doing a big water change. It worked well for me and everything made it just fine.

rgasco1 · 12/11/2005, 06:14 PM

this is what i am going to try to do. exams are taking most of my time right now so progress is slow.

rgasco1 · 12/19/2005, 12:52 AM

well... stand is complete and so is the plumbing. But now I have a problem. The pipes for the return in the canapy look like they are going to interfere with the lights. The lights are 46.5" long and the inside of the canapy is about 48" long so I thought they would fit. But now the pipes are in the way. I can either leave the pipes where they are and put the lights 12.5" off the water (only way to not have the pipes in the way) or cut the pipes and drop them down and have the lights about 8" off the water. Does anyone see a problem with the lights being this high off the water. Also, in both solutions the lights and pipes are going to be very close... will this cause a heating problem. If it will could I solve it by reflecting the light off the pipes by using aluminum foil or something like that?

I was also able to get some pics... I am going to try and upload them tommorrow afternoon.

wjhuie · 12/19/2005, 12:55 AM

post some pic's

rgasco1 · 12/19/2005, 12:57 PM

i havent got my light in yet so im really not sure if they are gonna fit or not. I got 46.5" vho lights. Does anyone know the actuall length w/ the endcaps. I look and the description said 45.125" long minus the pins.

rgasco1 · 12/19/2005, 07:58 PM

Here are a few pictures... does anyone see a problem as far as support... or any other observations. Sorry for the wierd reflections... everything is out of focus and there is no light in the tank right now so I got a lot of reflections. Best I could do for now. And no this is not where the tank is going to stay so there will be no mounted fish in the background.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

this pic is before the plumbing but u can imagine 1" plumbing on the right inside of the canapy. This is what is causeing problems with the lighting
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

MdM31 · 12/19/2005, 08:44 PM

sweet. you should post some more on LARC.

ww.lareefclub.com

-Mike

engagg · 12/19/2005, 11:30 PM

Nice Canopy! Did uou build it?

rgasco1 · 12/19/2005, 11:36 PM

Yea, me and a buddy took a day off work and built it. Well... he did most of the cutting and I did most of the staining and poly.

rgasco1 · 12/20/2005, 10:21 AM

Does anyone see a problem with putting VHO lights 12" abouve the water... this will get them out of the way of the plumbing.

MyMonkey · 12/20/2005, 10:43 AM

Very nice Canopy and stand BTW. As far as the VHO's off the water. Not certain. I have a 58 with VHO's about 9 inches off the water. All seems well.

rgasco1 · 12/20/2005, 02:25 PM

another question... do i need to make reflectors for the lights even though they have internal reflectors? If so where can I get some thin aluminum... this stuff is harder to find than I thought

MyMonkey · 12/20/2005, 02:29 PM

You can buy sheets of aluminum at Lowes and Home Depot. If not available in your area, you may try a sheet metal retailer. You may be able to convince them to give you some scraps big enough.

Bax · 12/20/2005, 02:31 PM

Nice work so far.

Maybe consider buying a 48" reflector, they're not real expensive and function real well. Look on ebay or the RC Seller's Forum.

rgasco1 · 12/20/2005, 02:34 PM

good idea... the lowes I went to only had small sheets which were too thick. I have another lowes and 2 home depots to go check out in town hopefully they will have some. Also my uncle builds boats so I should probably call him and see if he knows where to get aluminum that thin. Im guessing 1/64"? Not really sure.

Bax · 12/20/2005, 02:48 PM

Just remember, it's the polished surface that gives you the reflectivity.

rgasco1 · 12/22/2005, 01:29 PM

well lights are in and redid my return plumbing to make everything fit right.

i plan on doing about a 3" sand bed so I am going to have to be able to clean it. What is the best way to do that?

12/09/2005, 01:29 AM	#1
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	75 gal upgrade I currently have a 55 gal set and am moving to a new house. In the process I will be upgrading to a 75 gal because I wanted a deeper tank anyway and figured this would be a good time to do it. Should I set up my new tank and let it cycle for a few weeks in the new hose before breaking down the 55 gal in the old house or is it possible to set up the new tank and break down the old tank all at the same time? Either way works for me I am just worried about my fish and corals durring the transplant. Thanks in advance.

12/09/2005, 10:45 AM	#6
ouiskariverdude Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 16	Louisiana Reef Club In case you aren't a member yet, we've got a club. www.lareefclub.com

12/09/2005, 12:00 PM	#9
Bippus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 201	When I did my upgrade from a 55 to a 75 I kept 100% of my old water then had 20g of fresh salt water made up ready to go. It is almost like doing a big water change. It worked well for me and everything made it just fine. __________________ -Dustin Current Tank Info: 75 gal - 135 In the works (STILL!!)

12/19/2005, 07:58 PM	#14
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	Here are a few pictures... does anyone see a problem as far as support... or any other observations. Sorry for the wierd reflections... everything is out of focus and there is no light in the tank right now so I got a lot of reflections. Best I could do for now. And no this is not where the tank is going to stay so there will be no mounted fish in the background. this pic is before the plumbing but u can imagine 1" plumbing on the right inside of the canapy. This is what is causeing problems with the lighting

12/19/2005, 08:44 PM	#15
MdM31 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fairfax, Virginia Posts: 462	sweet. you should post some more on LARC. ww.lareefclub.com -Mike __________________ 225 Miracles In Glass Aquarium, never been happier Current Tank Info: 360 gallon system

12/09/2005, 01:37 AM	#2
wjhuie Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: dyersburg Tn Posts: 764	That would be a good idea. You could use some water from water changes on your 55 to help fill it.

12/09/2005, 01:40 AM	#3
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	I thought about that too. I guess I could store the water in a new trashcan? That would def. help out when I fill the tank. Thanks.

12/09/2005, 03:27 AM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would get everything setup and ready to go for the 75 first. Once you are ready to move, do so and use as much water from the old tank as posssible. In doing so you will not cycle and can enjoy a full tank immediatly.

12/09/2005, 10:00 AM	#5
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	Blown 346 I think this sound like a good idea. I will save the water from my water changes in the 55 also to help fill the tank. Also I will buy some more sand and mix with my live sand before putting in the tank. Thanks for the help. By the way... Christmas came early... my sump, pumps and skimmers came in. Now to figure out all the plumbing and order the lights.

12/09/2005, 10:58 AM	#7
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	ouiskariverdude - thanks i will go check that out

12/09/2005, 11:20 AM	#8
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	Im going to try and get some pictrues of the stand to see what everyone thinks and see if anyone has any ideas or worries. I finished it lastnight so i should get some pics tom. Me and a buddy built it and for once I was happy w/ the final result.

12/11/2005, 06:14 PM	#10
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	this is what i am going to try to do. exams are taking most of my time right now so progress is slow.

12/19/2005, 12:52 AM	#11
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	well... stand is complete and so is the plumbing. But now I have a problem. The pipes for the return in the canapy look like they are going to interfere with the lights. The lights are 46.5" long and the inside of the canapy is about 48" long so I thought they would fit. But now the pipes are in the way. I can either leave the pipes where they are and put the lights 12.5" off the water (only way to not have the pipes in the way) or cut the pipes and drop them down and have the lights about 8" off the water. Does anyone see a problem with the lights being this high off the water. Also, in both solutions the lights and pipes are going to be very close... will this cause a heating problem. If it will could I solve it by reflecting the light off the pipes by using aluminum foil or something like that? I was also able to get some pics... I am going to try and upload them tommorrow afternoon.

12/19/2005, 12:55 AM	#12
wjhuie Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: dyersburg Tn Posts: 764	post some pic's

12/19/2005, 12:57 PM	#13
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	i havent got my light in yet so im really not sure if they are gonna fit or not. I got 46.5" vho lights. Does anyone know the actuall length w/ the endcaps. I look and the description said 45.125" long minus the pins.

12/19/2005, 11:30 PM	#16
engagg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountains of Montana Posts: 236	Nice Canopy! Did uou build it?

12/19/2005, 11:36 PM	#17
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	Yea, me and a buddy took a day off work and built it. Well... he did most of the cutting and I did most of the staining and poly.

12/20/2005, 10:21 AM	#18
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	Does anyone see a problem with putting VHO lights 12" abouve the water... this will get them out of the way of the plumbing.

12/20/2005, 10:43 AM	#19
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	Very nice Canopy and stand BTW. As far as the VHO's off the water. Not certain. I have a 58 with VHO's about 9 inches off the water. All seems well. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

12/20/2005, 02:25 PM	#20
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	another question... do i need to make reflectors for the lights even though they have internal reflectors? If so where can I get some thin aluminum... this stuff is harder to find than I thought

12/20/2005, 02:29 PM	#21
MyMonkey Persona Non Grata Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,106	You can buy sheets of aluminum at Lowes and Home Depot. If not available in your area, you may try a sheet metal retailer. You may be able to convince them to give you some scraps big enough. __________________ The worst thing about an unwritten law is that you don't know where to go to erase it. Current Tank Info: 20 Long.10 months to my 240 In wall with Fish Room.

12/20/2005, 02:31 PM	#22
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	Nice work so far. Maybe consider buying a 48" reflector, they're not real expensive and function real well. Look on ebay or the RC Seller's Forum. __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

12/20/2005, 02:34 PM	#23
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	good idea... the lowes I went to only had small sheets which were too thick. I have another lowes and 2 home depots to go check out in town hopefully they will have some. Also my uncle builds boats so I should probably call him and see if he knows where to get aluminum that thin. Im guessing 1/64"? Not really sure.

12/20/2005, 02:48 PM	#24
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	Just remember, it's the polished surface that gives you the reflectivity. __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

12/22/2005, 01:29 PM	#25
rgasco1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 159	well lights are in and redid my return plumbing to make everything fit right. i plan on doing about a 3" sand bed so I am going to have to be able to clean it. What is the best way to do that?