Need help upgrading/transfering from 34g tank to 67g tank...

kmu · 10/06/2009, 12:28 PM

Well just got my 67g 48x18x18 reef tank and I want to transfer all my corals ann live rock from my 34g.

Im not going to use any new live rock, just the one thats on my current tank.

I got 90 lbs of new in bag caribsea sand that I want to use in the new tank to avoid using the old 8 month old sand, I would just use several cups from the top layer to seed the new sand.

So should I wait a couple of weeks for the new tank to cycle or transfer everything from the old tank except the sandbed to avoid stirring up bad things?

I dont want to wait a couple of weeks to cycle the tank and have it cycle again when I transfer everything from the old tank.

Any help would be appreciated

kmu · 10/06/2009, 04:16 PM

Any advice?

THX again

kmu · 10/07/2009, 09:59 AM

Feeling lonely here and desperate to start setting up the tank...

Im gonna set up the new tank exactly where the current tank is, so if there is any way I can just make one single move would be alot better and easier.

I bought yerterday afternoon a couple of 35g rubbermaid containers just in case I would need to transfer everything from the 34g tank into the containers while I move to old tank out and set up the new tank in with all the plumbing done to the sump which might take a couple of hours...

aquaman67 · 10/07/2009, 10:05 AM

It's like doing a big water change.

When I moved up in tank size, I too used new sand.

Put the sand it.

Cover with a clean garbage bag to keep dust storm down.

Fill half full with a mix of new and tank water.

Remove garbage bag.

Add rock.

Fill the rest of the way using as much tank water as you can. Top off with new water that you pre-made in another container.

Vo-la.

Done.

fox2589 · 10/07/2009, 10:09 AM

honestly i wouldn't think you would have a cycle..if theres nothing that dies off the live rock you shouldn't...but theres always a chance..i would put liverock and sand in and wait a few days..testing your ammonia,nitrite,and nitrate levels..you shouldn't have a cycle but i would wait and test to make sure..be sure to put a couple peices of live rock in with your fish and livestock when you're waiting..-drew

MCCOOL · 10/07/2009, 10:15 AM

Agreed with aquaman, you shouldn't see a cycle using all the same rock.

Sugar Magnolia · 10/07/2009, 10:24 AM

My only suggestion would be to rinse the new sand well, and when you think you've gotten all the dust out of it, rinse it again.

I've moved from a smaller tank to a larger one. I used the tubs to hold livestock whie I transferred. Good luck!!

kmu · 10/07/2009, 10:38 AM

This are my plans.

1. Set up a 35g container with NEW saltwater.

2. Transfer all the live stock and water from the old tank to a 35g container.

3. Move old tank out of the way.

4. Move new tank in place and tighten plumbing (1 large bulkhead, 1 small bulkhead which should give me alot of trouble I hope so, I will do a small test on the plumbing inside the overflow box pouring some water inside the overflow to see if it leaks under the tank)

5. Add new sand to tank which has been previously washed a couple of times to minimize a sand storm, also I will add a couple of cups from the top layer of sand from the old tank to help with the bacteria

6. Start adding old water and rocks and I will start adding corals once the water level starts raising enough to completely cover the corals until I empty the 35g container with everything form the old tank.

7. Now that the tank has new sand, a couple of cups of old sand, old live rock and corals and fish I guess I will have around 8" of waterline, Only 9" more inches to go since the tank is 18" tall.

8. I will slowly start adding new water until its full, this can take an hour or a day, what do you guys suggest?

Any advice, help or suggestion to any of my plans will be well received.

aquaman67 · 10/07/2009, 12:14 PM

I'd fill up the tank with new water as soon as you get everything else in it. It's like doing a water change. Not a big deal.

For the bulkheads, a "grip wrench" might help.

This is what they look like. You can get one at any hardware store for less than $20 for two ( a big and small one)

Don't over tighten but snug up.

10/06/2009, 12:28 PM	#1
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	Need help upgrading/transfering from 34g tank to 67g tank... Well just got my 67g 48x18x18 reef tank and I want to transfer all my corals ann live rock from my 34g. Im not going to use any new live rock, just the one thats on my current tank. I got 90 lbs of new in bag caribsea sand that I want to use in the new tank to avoid using the old 8 month old sand, I would just use several cups from the top layer to seed the new sand. So should I wait a couple of weeks for the new tank to cycle or transfer everything from the old tank except the sandbed to avoid stirring up bad things? I dont want to wait a couple of weeks to cycle the tank and have it cycle again when I transfer everything from the old tank. Any help would be appreciated

10/07/2009, 09:59 AM	#3
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	Feeling lonely here and desperate to start setting up the tank... Im gonna set up the new tank exactly where the current tank is, so if there is any way I can just make one single move would be alot better and easier. I bought yerterday afternoon a couple of 35g rubbermaid containers just in case I would need to transfer everything from the 34g tank into the containers while I move to old tank out and set up the new tank in with all the plumbing done to the sump which might take a couple of hours... Last edited by kmu; 10/07/2009 at 10:03 AM. Reason: subscribing.

10/07/2009, 10:15 AM	#6
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	Agreed with aquaman, you shouldn't see a cycle using all the same rock. __________________ 58g reef

10/07/2009, 10:24 AM	#7
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	My only suggestion would be to rinse the new sand well, and when you think you've gotten all the dust out of it, rinse it again. I've moved from a smaller tank to a larger one. I used the tubs to hold livestock whie I transferred. Good luck!! __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

10/06/2009, 04:16 PM	#2
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	Any advice? THX again

10/07/2009, 10:05 AM	#4
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	It's like doing a big water change. When I moved up in tank size, I too used new sand. Put the sand it. Cover with a clean garbage bag to keep dust storm down. Fill half full with a mix of new and tank water. Remove garbage bag. Add rock. Fill the rest of the way using as much tank water as you can. Top off with new water that you pre-made in another container. Vo-la. Done.

10/07/2009, 10:09 AM	#5
fox2589 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 557	honestly i wouldn't think you would have a cycle..if theres nothing that dies off the live rock you shouldn't...but theres always a chance..i would put liverock and sand in and wait a few days..testing your ammonia,nitrite,and nitrate levels..you shouldn't have a cycle but i would wait and test to make sure..be sure to put a couple peices of live rock in with your fish and livestock when you're waiting..-drew

10/07/2009, 10:38 AM	#8
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	This are my plans. 1. Set up a 35g container with NEW saltwater. 2. Transfer all the live stock and water from the old tank to a 35g container. 3. Move old tank out of the way. 4. Move new tank in place and tighten plumbing (1 large bulkhead, 1 small bulkhead which should give me alot of trouble I hope so, I will do a small test on the plumbing inside the overflow box pouring some water inside the overflow to see if it leaks under the tank) 5. Add new sand to tank which has been previously washed a couple of times to minimize a sand storm, also I will add a couple of cups from the top layer of sand from the old tank to help with the bacteria 6. Start adding old water and rocks and I will start adding corals once the water level starts raising enough to completely cover the corals until I empty the 35g container with everything form the old tank. 7. Now that the tank has new sand, a couple of cups of old sand, old live rock and corals and fish I guess I will have around 8" of waterline, Only 9" more inches to go since the tank is 18" tall. 8. I will slowly start adding new water until its full, this can take an hour or a day, what do you guys suggest? Any advice, help or suggestion to any of my plans will be well received.

10/07/2009, 12:14 PM	#9
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	I'd fill up the tank with new water as soon as you get everything else in it. It's like doing a water change. Not a big deal. For the bulkheads, a "grip wrench" might help. This is what they look like. You can get one at any hardware store for less than $20 for two ( a big and small one) Don't over tighten but snug up.