how to upgrade

amosgirl · 05/15/2007, 11:12 AM

I am looking at upgrading from my 55gal w/ 10 gal sump to a 110gal w/29 gal sump/refugium. The 55 is about 4 years established with 60-70 pounds live rock and 3+ inch sand bed. Not much in the way of corals. Just a few star polyps. other inhabitants include 2 juvenile clowns, 1 watchman goby, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 rbta, two small serpent stars, and clean up crew. I am wondering what would be the best way to make the transition. With the 110 set up I will be getting 30 pounds of dry base rock that I figured I would put in a trashcan with water and a piece or two of live rock from the main tank to seed it for a month or so before finally trying to start assembly. Would I be better to just start with a fresh set up and go through the cycle and then slowly transfer my current inhabitants or is there a way I can transfer what I have now a little quicker than waiting for a complete cycle with new sand, rock, and everything?

papagimp · 05/15/2007, 11:17 AM

I would let the new tank cycle completely, then transfer over the rock and sand from the existing tank. Maybe start adding sand while the tank is cycling, cause if you tried to remove the entire sandbed and place over there, I can almost gaurantee a nitrate spike at the least. But moving the sandbed while you still have livestock in the tank, you'll need to monitor water quality closely, pull too much filtering bacteria from the old system and livestock will suffer while the bacteria catches up.

amosgirl · 05/15/2007, 11:21 AM

Ok, that was what I was curious about. It will be nice to have a drilled tank and some room to expand things a little bit. You know how it is though, taking it slow is best, but that doesn't mean the itch to see the new tank up and going isn't still there in a big way. Thank heaven I have a little self control

papagimp · 05/15/2007, 11:25 AM

Wish I had more self control, I have a 220g tank sitting empty in my living room driving me completely nuts!!! I"m mean sure, I still have to finish my 29g and 42g and get my 55g up to par. And still working on my 20g and 2.5g nano, but still....I want my big tank up and runnin'

amosgirl · 05/15/2007, 11:33 AM

I understand totally!! I currently have 5 freshwater tanks over 55gal that have all been up 4+ years, my 55gal reef and a 223 sitting in the garage that I was lucky enough to pick up for free (drilled w/2 overflows). Problem is that I physically can't get the tank in the basement and don't quite know how to reinforce the main floor to support it for now so it will have to continue to set for the time being. Not to mention my husband wants to put in new tile floors so the tank could set on that later. Best to wait for now.

papagimp · 05/15/2007, 11:36 AM

LOL, I didn't even list the freshwater tanks I have sitting around

That's a whole nother ball of wax we don't need to get into.

amosgirl · 05/15/2007, 11:40 AM

My husband seems to think it would be much less pinch on the pocket book if I would let him just put a fish water IV drip in my arm. I told him the closest I ever came to being satisfied was when I lived in Roatan and was diving 2-4 times a day. Since I now live in a land locked state I have to do what I can to surround myself with water. I'm less likely to get narked or the bends this way.

05/15/2007, 11:12 AM	#1
amosgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	how to upgrade I am looking at upgrading from my 55gal w/ 10 gal sump to a 110gal w/29 gal sump/refugium. The 55 is about 4 years established with 60-70 pounds live rock and 3+ inch sand bed. Not much in the way of corals. Just a few star polyps. other inhabitants include 2 juvenile clowns, 1 watchman goby, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 rbta, two small serpent stars, and clean up crew. I am wondering what would be the best way to make the transition. With the 110 set up I will be getting 30 pounds of dry base rock that I figured I would put in a trashcan with water and a piece or two of live rock from the main tank to seed it for a month or so before finally trying to start assembly. Would I be better to just start with a fresh set up and go through the cycle and then slowly transfer my current inhabitants or is there a way I can transfer what I have now a little quicker than waiting for a complete cycle with new sand, rock, and everything?

05/15/2007, 11:17 AM	#2
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I would let the new tank cycle completely, then transfer over the rock and sand from the existing tank. Maybe start adding sand while the tank is cycling, cause if you tried to remove the entire sandbed and place over there, I can almost gaurantee a nitrate spike at the least. But moving the sandbed while you still have livestock in the tank, you'll need to monitor water quality closely, pull too much filtering bacteria from the old system and livestock will suffer while the bacteria catches up. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

05/15/2007, 11:25 AM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Wish I had more self control, I have a 220g tank sitting empty in my living room driving me completely nuts!!! I"m mean sure, I still have to finish my 29g and 42g and get my 55g up to par. And still working on my 20g and 2.5g nano, but still....I want my big tank up and runnin' __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

05/15/2007, 11:36 AM	#6
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	LOL, I didn't even list the freshwater tanks I have sitting around That's a whole nother ball of wax we don't need to get into. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

05/15/2007, 11:21 AM	#3
amosgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	Ok, that was what I was curious about. It will be nice to have a drilled tank and some room to expand things a little bit. You know how it is though, taking it slow is best, but that doesn't mean the itch to see the new tank up and going isn't still there in a big way. Thank heaven I have a little self control

05/15/2007, 11:33 AM	#5
amosgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	I understand totally!! I currently have 5 freshwater tanks over 55gal that have all been up 4+ years, my 55gal reef and a 223 sitting in the garage that I was lucky enough to pick up for free (drilled w/2 overflows). Problem is that I physically can't get the tank in the basement and don't quite know how to reinforce the main floor to support it for now so it will have to continue to set for the time being. Not to mention my husband wants to put in new tile floors so the tank could set on that later. Best to wait for now.

05/15/2007, 11:40 AM	#7
amosgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 103	My husband seems to think it would be much less pinch on the pocket book if I would let him just put a fish water IV drip in my arm. I told him the closest I ever came to being satisfied was when I lived in Roatan and was diving 2-4 times a day. Since I now live in a land locked state I have to do what I can to surround myself with water. I'm less likely to get narked or the bends this way.