downsizing help

pacificgirl · 10/21/2006, 06:43 PM

I'm tired of trying to maintain a tall 75 gal tank so I am looking to downsize to a 30 gal. I don't know where to start with this project though because I plan on keeping the current stand and sump, equipment, and occupants. I was thinking I would fill a couple rubbermaid bins with water from the 75 and put the LR I'm keeping and the fish in there with powerheads and airline. What do I do with the LS though? Can I save some of it without causing a big cycle? Should I just get some new LS, even though that will probably go through a small cycle too? After emptying the 75 I would hook up the 30 gal and add everything back in I guess.

Does this sound like it will work? Does anyone with experience doing a downsize like this have any advice or anything to add?

I'd appreciate any advice with this project. Thanks!

Bri Guy · 10/22/2006, 01:37 AM

If you took the sand and rock from the 75 and put it in a 30, it would be like a clone and you wouldn't have a cycle, which would be the best idea too. Your on the right track.

But everything in the 75 won't fit in a 30 obviously, so just use enough sand to give you your sandbed of choice, and pick out the best of your rock and make a nice reef, I don't know what types of fish/how many, so im not sure what would be able to transfer into the smaller one. You may end up having to get rid of some of your fish?

The only easier maintaince you will have is less volume of water changes, you may have to do more frequent changes with the smaller tank, and keep an eye on the parimiters closer cause of the less water volume, so you may end up putting the same amount of work into a smaller tank, you have to weigh out the options yourself, good luck

10/21/2006, 06:43 PM	#1
pacificgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 12	downsizing help I'm tired of trying to maintain a tall 75 gal tank so I am looking to downsize to a 30 gal. I don't know where to start with this project though because I plan on keeping the current stand and sump, equipment, and occupants. I was thinking I would fill a couple rubbermaid bins with water from the 75 and put the LR I'm keeping and the fish in there with powerheads and airline. What do I do with the LS though? Can I save some of it without causing a big cycle? Should I just get some new LS, even though that will probably go through a small cycle too? After emptying the 75 I would hook up the 30 gal and add everything back in I guess. Does this sound like it will work? Does anyone with experience doing a downsize like this have any advice or anything to add? I'd appreciate any advice with this project. Thanks!

10/22/2006, 01:37 AM	#2
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	If you took the sand and rock from the 75 and put it in a 30, it would be like a clone and you wouldn't have a cycle, which would be the best idea too. Your on the right track. But everything in the 75 won't fit in a 30 obviously, so just use enough sand to give you your sandbed of choice, and pick out the best of your rock and make a nice reef, I don't know what types of fish/how many, so im not sure what would be able to transfer into the smaller one. You may end up having to get rid of some of your fish? The only easier maintaince you will have is less volume of water changes, you may have to do more frequent changes with the smaller tank, and keep an eye on the parimiters closer cause of the less water volume, so you may end up putting the same amount of work into a smaller tank, you have to weigh out the options yourself, good luck __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro