Transfering to new tank questions...??

[SaltLifeLove]

Hey guys...couple questions for ya? Today is week 5 of the 75 running and I am testing both tanks today to make sure they are the same parameters/temp and so on. If all is a go and I decided to move my livestock do I need to acclimate them or can I just catch them and throw them in?

If tosay is D day then I am taking out all the LR out of the 75 to catch the chromis... ugh That was just bad idea to begin with.
Any way... I am going to move most of the LR the YWG, the false perc and the firefish and leave the Flame angel in the 20. Corals have to stay in the 20 untill I get new light. I am going to give chromis back to LFS and trade for CUC.
SO my other question would be...how long should I wait after moving the old fish into new tank before I can start adding new fish to the new tank? I was planning to use the 20 as a quarantine, but because the Flame is in there... I don't think that is effective? I want to add the Flame to the 75 last, but other fish I am considering are, Midas Blenny, leopard wrasse, 2 oceallaris clowns (trade in perc) and I might attempt to throw in another type of dwarf Angel (risky I know) or butterfly

How long should I wait before transferring my Linckia Starfish from the 20?

Ok now that I have said all that, I feel like it makes no sense. Good thing I am not being graded on sentence structure...Thanks for any inputs or ideas...Iam so confused!

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Acclimation should be like with any other transfer. I like to drip. My preferred method is to put the livestock in a small bowl or bucket, then set that in a larger container (this allows for some overflow without spilling on the floor, if you get distracted.) Then, tie a loose knot in some airline, clothespin it to the edge of the tank (so it doesn't fall off or flop around), start a siphon, and tighten the knot until you get a slow drip. Leave that way for an hour or two, then dump 'em in.

If all parameters are OK, then go for it. If you're moving live rock, be ready for a little mess, since most live rock gets a decent coating of "gunk" on it. So, plan on a decent-sized water change within the first day or so to help the new tank with the increased bioload.

[SaltLifeLove]

Thanks! I was really hoping I wouldn't have to drip, but if that is best I will do it. Today is just going to be a messy day I think. I didn't even think about the stir up I am going to cause moving the LR. Thanks for the reminder.

All the previous times I did drip method, I am sucking the water through the tube...there has to be another way. What can I buy to do that properly?? I don't want any pods in my tummy.

[jason2459]

You can submerge the entire tube or at least most of it then cap the end with your finger. Then pull it out and place in your container and release your finger. Should start the syphon. I still suck but stop as soon as the water goes over the side.

[SaltLifeLove]

Thanks Jason...why didn't I think of that lol My husband and I are always arguing about who gets to siphon and for some reason I always loose...

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Originally Posted by jason2459

You can submerge the entire tube or at least most of it then cap the end with your finger. Then pull it out and place in your container and release your finger. Should start the syphon..

That's my preferred method, too. Once you're used to it, it becomes second nature.

SaltLifeLove, you probably don't NEED to drip, especially if the tanks look identical on all tests, you're using the same brand salt, etc. But personally, I like to play it safe when moving livestock.

I dunno if it would be easier or not, but another potential method would be to swap 10 - 20% of water between the two tanks, as if you were doing a water change - but just transfer water from tank to tank, instead. You'd basically be acclimating everything in both tanks and evening out parameters, all in one step. Though depending on your water change methods this might be a lot more work than just dripping a few buckets.