Upgrading to Bigger Tank and New Home, here's the plan:

Stray32 · 08/28/2008, 01:32 PM

I will be upgrading from a 55 gallon with a HOB skimmer and canister filter, to a drilled 75 gallon with sump and in-sump skimmer.

I will also be moving to a home I just bought, so will have to transport everything to the new location. I am not moving until October, but I want to make sure I have a plan before I do. So here is a preliminary plan, please make suggestions on ways to improve or make it easier.

Sunday, Oct 19 - set up 75 gallon tank and sump in new house. Fill tank and sump with regular water to make sure everything works correctly. Mix 30 gallons of water in probably a trash can, with heater and pump to keep it mixed and the correct temp.

Wednesday, Oct 22 - Remove 30-40% of the water from 55 gal for a water change, but put it in another container, with a heater and pump to keep it the right temp. and keep it flowing, and possibly move some live rock here as well.

Friday, Oct 24 - do another 20 or 25% water change, and put that water in the other container, again with a heater and pump, and perhaps move out additional live rock.

Saturday, Oct 25:

- Put the remaining rock and livestock in the plastic bins where I have kept the water going from the tank.

- Put the 55 gallons of water in something (not sure what yet) to move to the other tank (that will already be setup in the house. I will also have the additional 30 gallons of water I will at the house, mixed and ready to go.

- Put the 55 gallons and the 30 gallons of water in our new tank, and start everything (sump, powerheads, heaters, etc). ALL of this after having tested the new sump setup with just regular water to make sure there are no leaks and that the pumps are working correctly.

- Once I am certain the tank is working and the water level is good, we can put the livestock back in the tank.

Let me know if you would do anything different. I suppose this thread could be the start of my journey to a bigger tank...hope it goes well.

Thanks ahead of time.

Stray32 · 08/28/2008, 04:14 PM

hmmm, no suggestions so far, am I to assume that this is a good plan? Makes sense?

Rustylugnuts · 08/28/2008, 04:49 PM

Looks good so far. As long as the water is up to temp and the chemistry is good then you should be fine. Since you're tearing everything down anyway now might be a good time to rinse the sand

Stray32 · 08/28/2008, 05:57 PM

Thanks, great site!

08/28/2008, 01:32 PM	#1
Stray32 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Castle Shannon (Pittsburgh) PA Posts: 897	Upgrading to Bigger Tank and New Home, here's the plan: I will be upgrading from a 55 gallon with a HOB skimmer and canister filter, to a drilled 75 gallon with sump and in-sump skimmer. I will also be moving to a home I just bought, so will have to transport everything to the new location. I am not moving until October, but I want to make sure I have a plan before I do. So here is a preliminary plan, please make suggestions on ways to improve or make it easier. Sunday, Oct 19 - set up 75 gallon tank and sump in new house. Fill tank and sump with regular water to make sure everything works correctly. Mix 30 gallons of water in probably a trash can, with heater and pump to keep it mixed and the correct temp. Wednesday, Oct 22 - Remove 30-40% of the water from 55 gal for a water change, but put it in another container, with a heater and pump to keep it the right temp. and keep it flowing, and possibly move some live rock here as well. Friday, Oct 24 - do another 20 or 25% water change, and put that water in the other container, again with a heater and pump, and perhaps move out additional live rock. Saturday, Oct 25: - Put the remaining rock and livestock in the plastic bins where I have kept the water going from the tank. - Put the 55 gallons of water in something (not sure what yet) to move to the other tank (that will already be setup in the house. I will also have the additional 30 gallons of water I will at the house, mixed and ready to go. - Put the 55 gallons and the 30 gallons of water in our new tank, and start everything (sump, powerheads, heaters, etc). ALL of this after having tested the new sump setup with just regular water to make sure there are no leaks and that the pumps are working correctly. - Once I am certain the tank is working and the water level is good, we can put the livestock back in the tank. Let me know if you would do anything different. I suppose this thread could be the start of my journey to a bigger tank...hope it goes well. Thanks ahead of time.

08/28/2008, 04:49 PM	#3
Rustylugnuts Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 813	Looks good so far. As long as the water is up to temp and the chemistry is good then you should be fine. Since you're tearing everything down anyway now might be a good time to rinse the sand __________________ And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. Drill It! Current Tank Info: Buncha parts and tanks of various size. Nothing currently running :(

08/28/2008, 05:57 PM	#4
Stray32 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Castle Shannon (Pittsburgh) PA Posts: 897	Thanks, great site! __________________ Thanks, Jared Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 30 Gal Frag Tank

08/28/2008, 04:14 PM	#2
Stray32 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Castle Shannon (Pittsburgh) PA Posts: 897	hmmm, no suggestions so far, am I to assume that this is a good plan? Makes sense?