tank switch

evil4g63 · 04/04/2008, 02:10 PM

I'm going to change my tank an wanted to know if I have to wait for a new cycle to happen in the tank or if I add all the live rock I have and live sand the cycle would be complete. the tank will be filled with newly mixed saltwater because of the phophate problem i have with my current tank.

drparker · 04/04/2008, 03:04 PM

I would use new sand and only seed it with a few cups from the old tank. I've always used as much of the old water as possible and have not had a cycle. You will get "New Tank syndrome", diatom algae bloom etc..

evil4g63 · 04/04/2008, 03:50 PM

I want to know if it would hurt any of my corals. I don't want to use any of the old water because of the phosphate problem. I didn't use ro/di water, instead i used plain filter water because my lfs said that ro/di water is just a waste of money and everything would be fine even if i used tap water like they do. My algae problem is not bad thanks to my lawnmower but i'm sick and tired of cyano and having to clean my glass every day. I'm getting an ro/di filter next week and that's all the water i'll use from now on.

DEXNC · 04/04/2008, 05:22 PM

what kind of lfs do you deal with, to suggest tap water is fine i think is nuts, you probably should start looking for another store to spend your money.

evil4g63 · 04/04/2008, 05:29 PM

that's what i thought but i don't have to many choices to choose from. the only one that i could conclude was good is 1 1/2 hour away form me.

voodoody · 04/04/2008, 06:50 PM

I agree. Your LFS is off base recommending only filtered water (?sediment only). Don't hesitate to use your old water because of a phosphate problem. The phosphate is harbored in the sand or live rock. Very little is in the water itself.

DmitriyY · 04/04/2008, 10:05 PM

In my case I used 100% new salt water and new sand, just let it circulate for couple of days and then seed the sand with a few cups from the old tank drop my live rock, corals and fish never had a cycle or any diatoms, just make sure you have same Ph and temperature.

04/04/2008, 02:10 PM	#1
evil4g63 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 203	tank switch I'm going to change my tank an wanted to know if I have to wait for a new cycle to happen in the tank or if I add all the live rock I have and live sand the cycle would be complete. the tank will be filled with newly mixed saltwater because of the phophate problem i have with my current tank.

04/04/2008, 03:04 PM	#2
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	I would use new sand and only seed it with a few cups from the old tank. I've always used as much of the old water as possible and have not had a cycle. You will get "New Tank syndrome", diatom algae bloom etc..

04/04/2008, 03:50 PM	#3
evil4g63 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 203	I want to know if it would hurt any of my corals. I don't want to use any of the old water because of the phosphate problem. I didn't use ro/di water, instead i used plain filter water because my lfs said that ro/di water is just a waste of money and everything would be fine even if i used tap water like they do. My algae problem is not bad thanks to my lawnmower but i'm sick and tired of cyano and having to clean my glass every day. I'm getting an ro/di filter next week and that's all the water i'll use from now on.

04/04/2008, 05:22 PM	#4
DEXNC Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greensboro, N.C Posts: 220	what kind of lfs do you deal with, to suggest tap water is fine i think is nuts, you probably should start looking for another store to spend your money.

04/04/2008, 05:29 PM	#5
evil4g63 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 203	that's what i thought but i don't have to many choices to choose from. the only one that i could conclude was good is 1 1/2 hour away form me.

04/04/2008, 06:50 PM	#6
voodoody Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 57	I agree. Your LFS is off base recommending only filtered water (?sediment only). Don't hesitate to use your old water because of a phosphate problem. The phosphate is harbored in the sand or live rock. Very little is in the water itself.

04/04/2008, 10:05 PM	#7
DmitriyY Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 131	In my case I used 100% new salt water and new sand, just let it circulate for couple of days and then seed the sand with a few cups from the old tank drop my live rock, corals and fish never had a cycle or any diatoms, just make sure you have same Ph and temperature.