Upgrading my 50 Gallon Reef to a 180 Gallon Tank Any Advise?

MikeG1577 · 07/06/2013, 12:25 PM

Hi all

So i've had my 50 Gallon Tank up and running for about 2yrs now and the truth is.... I still feel like a rookie when it comes to this hobby...

So i purchased a 180 Gallon Aqueon Megaflow from my LFS. They delivered the tank as well as a sump, bubble magus 7 skimmer, 160lbs of live sand. So once the tank was connected I added the water and mixed the salt in the tank. Let my MP40 run at full force for a couple days and then added the live sand and let everythig settle. About 2 days later I went back to my LFS and purchased 20lbs of LR and added it to my tank per their instruction. So this coming Tuesday they're coming over to do a transfer from my 50 Gallon tank to the 180. Now in my 50 gallon tank i've got about 75lbs of LR, a chalice, a leather, a nice huge clam and a bunch of Gigantic Montiporas...lol. I've got a Hippo Tang, Yellow Tang, Bristle Mouth Tang, Goby, Blenie, two clowns, and a file fish. So what i was told is that the transfer should be fine because we are going to be using the LR as well as the water in my established tank in the new one... Does anything here sound out of place??? Truth is that i've been doing this 2yrs now and still feel like i just got into it... Any advise would be grealy appreciated

By the way, i am also buying about 100lbs of base rock to add to the tank as well... Thx for the help everyone!!!

Palting · 07/06/2013, 12:32 PM

In theory you should be fine. In practice there may be some problems. I upgraded to a 150 using pretty much the same theory, and everything went well. However, I've heard some people still got spikes and mini cycles. So, I suggest just be ready for some quick and large water changes to bring parameters back in line if you need to.

Browndawg80 · 07/06/2013, 12:36 PM

If I'm understanding your post it sounds like its only been 4 or 5 days since you filled up the 180, if that's the case I don't think that's enough time to cycle the tank even if you are transferring everything over from your 50 gallon. If it was me I would leave all the fish and corals in the 50 with the bare amount of live rock and sand needed to survive for 3-4 weeks then test for ammonia and nitrite in the new tank before transferring. Moving rock and sand from the old tank will help speed up the cycle but there will still be one. It would be a shame to lose all those fish now before they get to enjoy their new larger home. Good luck and congrats on the 180!

MikeG1577 · 07/06/2013, 12:46 PM

They delivered the tank 6/28/2013. Added the LR the 1st of the month... Im sure you're right... I should wait the 3-4 weeks before messing with it... Thats the thing about this hobby... Wish everything could be done instantly!!!

FishAddict87 · 07/06/2013, 01:31 PM

You are lucky the new tank didn't go in the same place as your existing tank. This is exactly what I am afraid of when I upgrade. I am going from a 55 to a 125 but it has to go into the same place. Anyway, good luck with your upgrade. It's going to def going to be very enjoyable!

BlindZide · 07/06/2013, 06:04 PM

I would wait as well. The only thing that is keeping you from doing an instant transfer (in my opinion) is the 100lbs of BASE ROCK. That base rock will produce a cycles on its own.

I know this from my own experience. Wasn't pleasant to see what it did BUT now that I look back its fine because the rocks were frickin cool and I like the way they look.

07/06/2013, 12:25 PM	#1
MikeG1577 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rio Rancho Posts: 3	Upgrading my 50 Gallon Reef to a 180 Gallon Tank Any Advise? Hi all So i've had my 50 Gallon Tank up and running for about 2yrs now and the truth is.... I still feel like a rookie when it comes to this hobby... So i purchased a 180 Gallon Aqueon Megaflow from my LFS. They delivered the tank as well as a sump, bubble magus 7 skimmer, 160lbs of live sand. So once the tank was connected I added the water and mixed the salt in the tank. Let my MP40 run at full force for a couple days and then added the live sand and let everythig settle. About 2 days later I went back to my LFS and purchased 20lbs of LR and added it to my tank per their instruction. So this coming Tuesday they're coming over to do a transfer from my 50 Gallon tank to the 180. Now in my 50 gallon tank i've got about 75lbs of LR, a chalice, a leather, a nice huge clam and a bunch of Gigantic Montiporas...lol. I've got a Hippo Tang, Yellow Tang, Bristle Mouth Tang, Goby, Blenie, two clowns, and a file fish. So what i was told is that the transfer should be fine because we are going to be using the LR as well as the water in my established tank in the new one... Does anything here sound out of place??? Truth is that i've been doing this 2yrs now and still feel like i just got into it... Any advise would be grealy appreciatedBy the way, i am also buying about 100lbs of base rock to add to the tank as well... Thx for the help everyone!!!

07/06/2013, 12:32 PM	#2
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	In theory you should be fine. In practice there may be some problems. I upgraded to a 150 using pretty much the same theory, and everything went well. However, I've heard some people still got spikes and mini cycles. So, I suggest just be ready for some quick and large water changes to bring parameters back in line if you need to. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

07/06/2013, 12:36 PM	#3
Browndawg80 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 169	If I'm understanding your post it sounds like its only been 4 or 5 days since you filled up the 180, if that's the case I don't think that's enough time to cycle the tank even if you are transferring everything over from your 50 gallon. If it was me I would leave all the fish and corals in the 50 with the bare amount of live rock and sand needed to survive for 3-4 weeks then test for ammonia and nitrite in the new tank before transferring. Moving rock and sand from the old tank will help speed up the cycle but there will still be one. It would be a shame to lose all those fish now before they get to enjoy their new larger home. Good luck and congrats on the 180! __________________ 150 Tall mixed reef.

07/06/2013, 01:31 PM	#5
FishAddict87 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NY Posts: 412	You are lucky the new tank didn't go in the same place as your existing tank. This is exactly what I am afraid of when I upgrade. I am going from a 55 to a 125 but it has to go into the same place. Anyway, good luck with your upgrade. It's going to def going to be very enjoyable! __________________ 90 gallon Softie LPS Current Tank Info: 90 full reef

07/06/2013, 06:04 PM	#6
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	I would wait as well. The only thing that is keeping you from doing an instant transfer (in my opinion) is the 100lbs of BASE ROCK. That base rock will produce a cycles on its own. I know this from my own experience. Wasn't pleasant to see what it did BUT now that I look back its fine because the rocks were frickin cool and I like the way they look. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/06/2013, 12:46 PM	#4
MikeG1577 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rio Rancho Posts: 3	They delivered the tank 6/28/2013. Added the LR the 1st of the month... Im sure you're right... I should wait the 3-4 weeks before messing with it... Thats the thing about this hobby... Wish everything could be done instantly!!!