Transitioning stuff from one reef tank to a new one, but shared equipment

merkurmaniac · 01/21/2010, 01:29 PM

I have a currently running 29 gal tank that I will, over time, be shutting down and moving all the livestock over to a new 34 gallon that I am building up. From the old system, I am planning on robbing the sump, skimmer, return pump, lights (actinic for sure, MH, prolly not), and the fluval 205 cartridge filter. I'll also take the powerheads that I have.

Now, the new one will be setup about 10 feet away, and I am planning on cycling it for a month or so with new live sand, perhaps seeded with some of the top layer of live sand from my old tank. I'll eventually want to move over all livestock, live rock, and I'll probably scrape off the old coraline algea to help seed the new one.

The rub will be that once the new tank has cycled, it will probably not be able to deal with the ammonia load from all the new stuff at once, but I will need to move the new stuff at that time, as i'll be taking critical parts from the old setup to run the new tank....

So, is there a way to calculate an ammonia load that I could introduce into the new tank to "simulate" the waste of the old tank ? At least I'll be moving the sump, essentially intact to the new tank, but I dunno how much this alone will help.

How is it done ?

TIA,
Richard

bradleym · 01/21/2010, 02:17 PM

Transfer all the sand and rock as well. The bacteria that are handling the bioload in your old tank will be able to deal with it the same in the new tank. Save 3 5-gallon buckets worth of water changes. When you empty the tank, dunk and swish all your rocks through each bucket on the way to the new tank then set them in. With the sand, dump it all in one bucket then scoop it out into the tank. This will rinse off alot of the detritus and debris that will hurt you in the new tank. Make sure you use the canister filter and change the filter a couple times because it'll still be messy. Then just plan on testing your levels and doing frequent water changes (just in case) and you should be good.

merkurmaniac · 01/21/2010, 02:32 PM

I was planning on intentionally leaving the sand behind for a few reasons. First, the guy that I bought my 29 gal tank from (the old one) said that he was concerned that the sand had too much silica in it that was making algea problems.

Second, I already bought new sand.

Third, the anaerobic bacteria that is beyond the first inch of depth cannot survive getting stirred up, and will be destroyed. (per Rob on talkingreef podcast, tank cycling episode. I listened to it last night). He stated that there is pretty much no way to move the lower part of the DSB effectively.

The original owner of the system also told me that its pretty full of toxins and will likely poison the tank if churned up too much.

01/21/2010, 01:29 PM	#1
merkurmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sugar Land TX, a suburb of Houston. Posts: 168	Transitioning stuff from one reef tank to a new one, but shared equipment I have a currently running 29 gal tank that I will, over time, be shutting down and moving all the livestock over to a new 34 gallon that I am building up. From the old system, I am planning on robbing the sump, skimmer, return pump, lights (actinic for sure, MH, prolly not), and the fluval 205 cartridge filter. I'll also take the powerheads that I have. Now, the new one will be setup about 10 feet away, and I am planning on cycling it for a month or so with new live sand, perhaps seeded with some of the top layer of live sand from my old tank. I'll eventually want to move over all livestock, live rock, and I'll probably scrape off the old coraline algea to help seed the new one. The rub will be that once the new tank has cycled, it will probably not be able to deal with the ammonia load from all the new stuff at once, but I will need to move the new stuff at that time, as i'll be taking critical parts from the old setup to run the new tank.... So, is there a way to calculate an ammonia load that I could introduce into the new tank to "simulate" the waste of the old tank ? At least I'll be moving the sump, essentially intact to the new tank, but I dunno how much this alone will help. How is it done ? TIA, Richard

01/21/2010, 02:17 PM	#2
bradleym Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Shrewsbury/St. Louis, Mo Posts: 3,878	Transfer all the sand and rock as well. The bacteria that are handling the bioload in your old tank will be able to deal with it the same in the new tank. Save 3 5-gallon buckets worth of water changes. When you empty the tank, dunk and swish all your rocks through each bucket on the way to the new tank then set them in. With the sand, dump it all in one bucket then scoop it out into the tank. This will rinse off alot of the detritus and debris that will hurt you in the new tank. Make sure you use the canister filter and change the filter a couple times because it'll still be messy. Then just plan on testing your levels and doing frequent water changes (just in case) and you should be good.

01/21/2010, 02:32 PM	#3
merkurmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sugar Land TX, a suburb of Houston. Posts: 168	I was planning on intentionally leaving the sand behind for a few reasons. First, the guy that I bought my 29 gal tank from (the old one) said that he was concerned that the sand had too much silica in it that was making algea problems. Second, I already bought new sand. Third, the anaerobic bacteria that is beyond the first inch of depth cannot survive getting stirred up, and will be destroyed. (per Rob on talkingreef podcast, tank cycling episode. I listened to it last night). He stated that there is pretty much no way to move the lower part of the DSB effectively. The original owner of the system also told me that its pretty full of toxins and will likely poison the tank if churned up too much.