Tank upgrade questions

jcgso · 07/23/2007, 02:13 PM

I'm thinking about upgrading my 3 1/2 year old 55 reef, to a 120. I have never upgraded a tank and have some questions. Assuming I get several large rubbermaid tubs, place the water from the tank, live rock, corals and critters in them, how long do I safely have to transfer everything into the new tank? Do I need heaters, powerheads or any other gear inside the tubs? If I put a couple of bags of Southdown or Old Castle in first, then cover with a thin layer of sand from the old tank and fill with the old water and additional salt water, will I have a sand storm that could harm the corals/fish/inverts and will I have any kind of cycle? Man that was a long sentence.

Please tell me if I am planning correctly or is there a better way.

Thanks!

2crazyreefers · 07/23/2007, 03:50 PM

I have helped move many tanks and a 55 should be fairly simple. A rubbermaid would help to place your corals in.
I think you have it planned out but I would never re-use old sand. If you can have the remaining water you will need aleady mixed and to temp you will be all set. Try to get a friend to help and just do it all at once (maybe a 2 hour job). I once moved my 125 to a 180 across town with many helpers and had it all done in less than 2 hours. Just expect a cycle.

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 05:34 PM

I would add new sand when setting up your new tank. You can add a few cups of sand form your old tank to "seed" the new sand. I would also keep powerheads and heaters in the tubs to keep water moving and temp constant.
When adding the water to the tank you can cover the sand with a garbage bag and then pour in the water, or you can pour the water on a plate placed on the sand. Either way this will help cut down on the sandstorm.

jcgso · 07/25/2007, 08:08 AM

OK, so if I use new sand, which by the way I can't find at Home depot ( they only have Sakrete Play Sand), and just seed with a few cupfulls of my old sand, I will have a cycle? Won't that kill off all my fish and corals?

mr_o98 · 07/25/2007, 02:17 PM

I recently moved my 90g from my apartment to my house. Tank was torn down, cleaned, and set up again. I added new sand with a few cupfuls of old sand. I also used about 50% old water and 50% new water.I did not notice a cycle.
A few years back, I upgraded from a 30g to a 55g. I used the same sand and had a huge cycle and battled hair algae for months.
I upgraded from a 55g to a 90g about 2 years ago. I was moving in with my fiance and set up the 90g and let it cycle. I then added the remaining liverock, corals and fish slowly over a month period. No cycle, but I doubt you have the luxury to have both tanks set up even for a short time.
Those are my experiences, hope they helped.

07/23/2007, 02:13 PM	#1
jcgso Saltwater Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 547	Tank upgrade questions I'm thinking about upgrading my 3 1/2 year old 55 reef, to a 120. I have never upgraded a tank and have some questions. Assuming I get several large rubbermaid tubs, place the water from the tank, live rock, corals and critters in them, how long do I safely have to transfer everything into the new tank? Do I need heaters, powerheads or any other gear inside the tubs? If I put a couple of bags of Southdown or Old Castle in first, then cover with a thin layer of sand from the old tank and fill with the old water and additional salt water, will I have a sand storm that could harm the corals/fish/inverts and will I have any kind of cycle? Man that was a long sentence. Please tell me if I am planning correctly or is there a better way. Thanks! __________________ Well dear, it was free...almost...sorta...kind of...I'm sorry, I'll never spend another penny on my tanks again...this week. Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL reef

07/23/2007, 03:50 PM	#2
2crazyreefers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vt. Posts: 733	I have helped move many tanks and a 55 should be fairly simple. A rubbermaid would help to place your corals in. I think you have it planned out but I would never re-use old sand. If you can have the remaining water you will need aleady mixed and to temp you will be all set. Try to get a friend to help and just do it all at once (maybe a 2 hour job). I once moved my 125 to a 180 across town with many helpers and had it all done in less than 2 hours. Just expect a cycle. __________________ My 4 part recipie for my acros = calcium - alk - flow & luck.

07/23/2007, 05:34 PM	#3
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	I would add new sand when setting up your new tank. You can add a few cups of sand form your old tank to "seed" the new sand. I would also keep powerheads and heaters in the tubs to keep water moving and temp constant. When adding the water to the tank you can cover the sand with a garbage bag and then pour in the water, or you can pour the water on a plate placed on the sand. Either way this will help cut down on the sandstorm. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/25/2007, 08:08 AM	#4
jcgso Saltwater Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 547	OK, so if I use new sand, which by the way I can't find at Home depot ( they only have Sakrete Play Sand), and just seed with a few cupfulls of my old sand, I will have a cycle? Won't that kill off all my fish and corals? __________________ Well dear, it was free...almost...sorta...kind of...I'm sorry, I'll never spend another penny on my tanks again...this week. Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL reef

07/25/2007, 02:17 PM	#5
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	I recently moved my 90g from my apartment to my house. Tank was torn down, cleaned, and set up again. I added new sand with a few cupfuls of old sand. I also used about 50% old water and 50% new water.I did not notice a cycle. A few years back, I upgraded from a 30g to a 55g. I used the same sand and had a huge cycle and battled hair algae for months. I upgraded from a 55g to a 90g about 2 years ago. I was moving in with my fiance and set up the 90g and let it cycle. I then added the remaining liverock, corals and fish slowly over a month period. No cycle, but I doubt you have the luxury to have both tanks set up even for a short time. Those are my experiences, hope they helped. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH