Question About Moving From One Tank To Another

av8rtrb · 01/04/2012, 09:12 AM

I currently have a standard 15g tank with an HOB filter which has been cycled for about 2 months now. I am buying a rimless 17g tank which I will drill and then be able to add a sump. My question is, when I move everything into the new tank should I expect to see a new cycle, or will all the bacteria survive the move?

jason2459 · 01/04/2012, 09:19 AM

You should be fine as you will be using your substrate and rocks. Just don't let them dry out.

av8rtrb · 01/04/2012, 09:39 AM

Thanks for the quick response! I plan to use a spare 10g as a transfer tank; first I'll syphon 6 - 7 gals of the existing water into the transfer tank, then put the live rock in, then the fish. Then I'll move the sand into the new tank, then the live rock, then most of the water & the fish. Sound ok?

mjm7757 · 01/04/2012, 05:43 PM

Sounds like you have the right plan for the transfer. Just make sure to have some new saltwater mixed and seasoned to make up for the difference in the sizes of tanks.

Agu · 01/04/2012, 06:36 PM

Even though it's only two months expect some waste in the sand to be released. If you can run mechanical filtration and carbon that would be a good idea.

av8rtrb · 01/05/2012, 06:23 AM

Thanks for the inputs! My HOB is a Marineland 150 (without the bio-wheel) so I do have mechanical filtration with carbon.

01/04/2012, 09:12 AM	#1
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	Question About Moving From One Tank To Another I currently have a standard 15g tank with an HOB filter which has been cycled for about 2 months now. I am buying a rimless 17g tank which I will drill and then be able to add a sump. My question is, when I move everything into the new tank should I expect to see a new cycle, or will all the bacteria survive the move?

01/04/2012, 09:19 AM	#2
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	You should be fine as you will be using your substrate and rocks. Just don't let them dry out. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank Last edited by jason2459; 01/04/2012 at 09:25 AM.

01/04/2012, 06:36 PM	#5
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Even though it's only two months expect some waste in the sand to be released. If you can run mechanical filtration and carbon that would be a good idea. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

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01/04/2012, 09:39 AM	#3
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	Thanks for the quick response! I plan to use a spare 10g as a transfer tank; first I'll syphon 6 - 7 gals of the existing water into the transfer tank, then put the live rock in, then the fish. Then I'll move the sand into the new tank, then the live rock, then most of the water & the fish. Sound ok?

01/04/2012, 05:43 PM	#4
mjm7757 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 60	Sounds like you have the right plan for the transfer. Just make sure to have some new saltwater mixed and seasoned to make up for the difference in the sizes of tanks.

01/05/2012, 06:23 AM	#6
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	Thanks for the inputs! My HOB is a Marineland 150 (without the bio-wheel) so I do have mechanical filtration with carbon.