Moving and upgrading

[wnehez]

So I am moving very soon and am gunna upgrade to a 150g. My lights should be fine for it still and I am just going to buy more live rock and live sand to make up the difference from my 75 to 150. My question is is my new tank going to have to cycle if i'm taking the water from my current tank, and adding the new water along with my current live sand and live rock? I wouldnt think it would need to cycle since im taking everything from the old tank and putting it in the new tank. Only difference will be the new water and new filter since my current filter wont be able to handle the 150g. I want to make the transition as smooth and fast as possible for the fish.

[wnehez]

also, I need some ideas on filters. Im not sure what filters are best for this size tank and any other products I might need... Open to suggestions. I currently have a HOB filter by aquaclear rated for up to 110g. I have a protein skimmer, not sure what kind or rated for because I got it from a buddy who said it came with stuff he bought from someone else but already had one.

[James404]

If you move over the live rock with it spending very little time out of the water you should not see a cycle. I would not move your sandbed, it will stir up all the junk in it and cause an ammonia spike.

If you have sufficient live rock there is no need to run a HOB filter.

[wnehez]

so if I get a bunch of LR, I wont need a filter at all? Just a skimmer?

[thegrun]

There are two main items of concern, the new rock and the sand (old and new). As long as you keep your existing live rock in water without huge temperature swings, there should be no problems moving the existing rock. The new live rock however poses some danger. Unless the new live rock is fully cured (been through a cycle), there is likely to be enough dead organic material on the new live rock to cause a cycle in your new tank. You can either try to find a source of "Fully Cured" live rock or cure it yourself. Try to find some cured rock from a trusted local reefer, the live rock sold in local fish stores is rarely cured. Or just purchase live rock from a store and put it in a brute trash can with salt water, a powerhead for circulation and a heater. Add a raw dead shrimp and in 4-5 weeks you should have live rock that is safe to add to your tank.
As for the sand, the stuff sold as "live sand" usually contains more dead than alive organic matter. It is much safer to use dry sand than risk a cycle using "live sand". Your existing sand is likely to also contain a large amount of detritus that once stirred up will cause a cycle. I either thoroughly wash the old sand before reusing it or just use all new sand and seed the new sand bed with a few cups of sand from your old system. You will likely see some diatom blooms in the new sand, it's a normal part of establishing a new sand bed.

[wnehez]

Alright... im going to get the new tank tonight, go set it up and then tomorrow, im going to the fish store that I found near me, they are amazing by the way. They are letting me use a huge water thing to transfer my water over the weekend and they have hooked me up with so many free things and samples of stuff to try. Coral selection is the biggest ive see in my area and all their tanks are super clean. The rock I got from them before was amazing live rock. It is definately curd LR. So tomorrow when I go get the water jug, Im getting a bunch of new LR and more sand. Im gunna take your advice and get dry sand and use a couple cups of my old stuff. Since I only have a 75 and im getting a 150, im also going to need more water. Im gunna have to get the mixed salt water from them which is .75 a gallon. which kinda sucks but thats alright. Its gunna be a busy day tomorrow setting everything up and transporting everything. Thank god its only a five minute drive down the road. Well wish me luck and if anyone has any more suggestions or thoughts, lemme know!

[wnehez]

So I went to look at the new tank and it was about an hour drive. I get there and the freakin thing looked like a 55g... Very disappointing. The wife must not have actually known what it was and told me a 150g. Sucks. But the move took place Saturday night, took about 4/5 hours. Everything lived! move went smooth and faster than anticipated. Thanks for the info on how to move guys.,.. The LFS in Bloomsburg really helped lending me the container to move the water and pump with 50ft hose. Sped things up quite a bit and save my back from carrying 5 gallon buckets and dumping water on the new carpets... Huge help. If anyone gets a chance to go to this store in bloomsburg, do it! Amazing ppl and amazing collection of corals. Biggest i've seen and cleanest and cheapest by far!

[thebkramer]

Originally Posted by wnehez

they have hooked me up with so many free things and samples of stuff to try. !

curious.. what stuff???

Originally Posted by wnehez

So I went to look at the new tank and it was about an hour drive. I get there and the freakin thing looked like a 55g... Very disappointing. The wife must not have actually known what it was and told me a 150g. Sucks. But the move took place Saturday night, took about 4/5 hours. Everything lived! move went smooth and faster than anticipated. Thanks for the info on how to move guys.,.. The LFS in Bloomsburg really helped lending me the container to move the water and pump with 50ft hose. Sped things up quite a bit and save my back from carrying 5 gallon buckets and dumping water on the new carpets... Huge help. !

UGH!! So sorry it was a 55g and not the 150g!!!
But very glad all went well!!!
would love to see some pics!!!

[wnehez]

I told them I think my seaweed is causing my water to get cloudy, he said he had this stuff that they love and hasnt heard of it clouding water. They also gave me about 15g of RO water because I brought a sample of my water and it was high wit Alk. and they wanted me to get it down. Also, if we see something in their display tank that not for sale such as a certain type of macro algae, they even frag it off and gave me some for free.. My Gf just bought a lil 29g hex tank to start and they threw in everything(tank, stand, light which is a custom made HO light to grow corals, heater, lid and extra bulbs and filter media) all for 75. They stayed late to build her rock set up to go in the hex tank. They gave me full credit $49 for a fox face that I didnt even buy there and I seen it there for sale for 49! they are not out for the money, they really are great! When we first went there, we spent about $150 on corals and they were cutting the prices down on each thing. If it was marked 25 they would only charge 20 or 15... Always willing to give advice on what to do and currentyl my hippo tang has ich(I believe) and I was treating with this kordons stuff and he said if it gets worse or doesnt clear up, to call and he will mix up this stuff he knows works, uses it at the store and has no problems. Definately the best place I've been to. And I will try and get new pics up cuz i got alot more rock and an amazing light set up. It has two 150MH and two actinic 54w with 4 led moonlights that is programmable. Its made by liveaquatics I believe. It came with two extra MH which were 14k and the ones in it now are 10k. I paid $275! Its easily over $600 new and it was only used for about 3 months.

[wnehez]

Its Aquaticlife HID light fixture. My bad...