How to upgrade to a bigger system?

AZBigJohn · 08/18/2013, 11:28 AM

I am seriously considering upgrading to a larger tank. I have had my 55 gallon moved over to a reef (from a FOWLR) for over a year, and I want to get bigger to allow the introduction of more fish and corals. I am debating on a 6 foot long tank, probably a 180.

I was planning on using my 55 gallon as the sump/refugium for the new tank, but that is where I get stuck. I would obviously have to cycle the new tank/system as I would be using a lot of newer live rock or seeding base rock; where do all the inhabitants of the 55 go while I am doing that? It seems like such a silly question, but if I truly am "combining" the systems, the cycle would risk killing off everything I have if I leave them in the system.

Do I have to buy a new sump and then sell off the old system in its entirely once I cycle everything and switch them over? How do people usually do this?

leveldrummer · 08/18/2013, 11:37 AM

many people will put all their livestock into a temporary holding tank, either buy an extra 55 gallon tank, set it on the floor, transfer the rock and all fish and coral (never the sand) into it, then get to work buildling the new setup. or get a large tote or plastic bin from walmart and put everything in there. you can keep it running wiht just powerheads and a heater, hang your light above it. then setup your new tank and cycle it.

thegrun · 08/18/2013, 05:15 PM

Is the new tank going to sit where the old tank is currently set up at? If it is in a different location it makes things easier, but either way: First I would get a Brute Trash can or two and cycle your new rock. once the cycle is complete, break down the old tank if the new one sits in its place, or simply set up the 180 in the new location.Fill the new 180 with your freshly cycled rock and add salt water, move in your old live rock, transfer the fish and then convert the sump. You can go a few weeks without a sump, you just need heaters and powerheads for water movement. With 180 gallons of mostly freshly made water you wouldn't even need a skimmer for a couple of weeks.

AZBigJohn · 08/18/2013, 05:51 PM

The tank would need to set in the same place as the current one is. So to cycle the new rock, just mix up fresh salt water, put the rock and a powerhead in the brute can, and some seed rock? Monitor ammonia and nitrate? I guess I never thought of doing a cycle in a trash can. That would make things a lot simpler....

I would need to do some interesting plumbing if I have a drilled tank as I plan as far as going sumpless for a week or two, but I'm sure it would be easy to do...

Thanks for the ideas!

lokii_37 · 08/18/2013, 05:53 PM

I agree. If you cycle your rocks in a different container they will be ready to use much sooner if you seed it with some good LR from your existing tank.

Once the new rock is ready out all your live stock in holding containers using your tank water. It will be much easier if the new tank will be going into a different location. If not you will need to premix as much SW as you can so you can get the 180 filled and put the live stick into water that has been mixed long enough.

fltekdiver · 08/18/2013, 08:10 PM

I only been in the hobby less then 3 months, and I just upgraded from my 120 that was up for 6 weeks, to a 180" which doesn't even come in till this Thursday

Here's my build thread I just started:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2324085

My 180 is going where my 120 was, so here's what I'm dong :

My 120 is still up and running till last minute

I bought today a 54 gallon long Rubbermaid container from Walmart for $21 bucks

Rinsed it with water and Vingear

When ready, I'll transfere my live rock and clean up crew to the rubber maid container, with a power head and thermoter

My fish are in the QT tank right now

Set up your 180, and install true unioun ball valves on the bottom of the bulk heads, shut them off, this way you can fill your 180 and start your cycle

As the tank is cycling, do your plumbing in your sump. Once your plumbed in. Open the valves and check for leaks. I had 3 leaks on my 120 plumbing , I just shut the valves again fixed them, and re opened the valves ( I forgot to glue 3 fittings , oh well )

Here's a video I made of my plumbing, I'll use the same set up, just my 180 will be in the corners now, and I'll use the same sump design I made before, just going with a bigger sump now

Good luck !

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IpBRVlqZQWM

08/18/2013, 11:28 AM	#1
AZBigJohn Usually confused... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,091	How to upgrade to a bigger system? I am seriously considering upgrading to a larger tank. I have had my 55 gallon moved over to a reef (from a FOWLR) for over a year, and I want to get bigger to allow the introduction of more fish and corals. I am debating on a 6 foot long tank, probably a 180. I was planning on using my 55 gallon as the sump/refugium for the new tank, but that is where I get stuck. I would obviously have to cycle the new tank/system as I would be using a lot of newer live rock or seeding base rock; where do all the inhabitants of the 55 go while I am doing that? It seems like such a silly question, but if I truly am "combining" the systems, the cycle would risk killing off everything I have if I leave them in the system. Do I have to buy a new sump and then sell off the old system in its entirely once I cycle everything and switch them over? How do people usually do this? __________________ John Current Tank Info: Currently a 29 gallon all-in-one frag tank and a 210 gallon tank slowly becoming my dream system!

08/18/2013, 05:51 PM	#4
AZBigJohn Usually confused... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,091	The tank would need to set in the same place as the current one is. So to cycle the new rock, just mix up fresh salt water, put the rock and a powerhead in the brute can, and some seed rock? Monitor ammonia and nitrate? I guess I never thought of doing a cycle in a trash can. That would make things a lot simpler.... I would need to do some interesting plumbing if I have a drilled tank as I plan as far as going sumpless for a week or two, but I'm sure it would be easy to do... Thanks for the ideas! __________________ John Current Tank Info: Currently a 29 gallon all-in-one frag tank and a 210 gallon tank slowly becoming my dream system!

08/18/2013, 05:53 PM	#5
lokii_37 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 1,270	I agree. If you cycle your rocks in a different container they will be ready to use much sooner if you seed it with some good LR from your existing tank. Once the new rock is ready out all your live stock in holding containers using your tank water. It will be much easier if the new tank will be going into a different location. If not you will need to premix as much SW as you can so you can get the 180 filled and put the live stick into water that has been mixed long enough. __________________ Mostly SPS 90G DT with 50G sump, SRO2000 INT, DIY LED T5 hybrid

08/18/2013, 08:10 PM	#6
fltekdiver Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,533	I only been in the hobby less then 3 months, and I just upgraded from my 120 that was up for 6 weeks, to a 180" which doesn't even come in till this Thursday Here's my build thread I just started: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2324085 My 180 is going where my 120 was, so here's what I'm dong : My 120 is still up and running till last minute I bought today a 54 gallon long Rubbermaid container from Walmart for $21 bucks Rinsed it with water and Vingear When ready, I'll transfere my live rock and clean up crew to the rubber maid container, with a power head and thermoter My fish are in the QT tank right now Set up your 180, and install true unioun ball valves on the bottom of the bulk heads, shut them off, this way you can fill your 180 and start your cycle As the tank is cycling, do your plumbing in your sump. Once your plumbed in. Open the valves and check for leaks. I had 3 leaks on my 120 plumbing , I just shut the valves again fixed them, and re opened the valves ( I forgot to glue 3 fittings , oh well ) Here's a video I made of my plumbing, I'll use the same set up, just my 180 will be in the corners now, and I'll use the same sump design I made before, just going with a bigger sump now Good luck ! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IpBRVlqZQWM __________________ RedSea Reefer 350 ,Apex Controller ,2x Hydra 26HD lights Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer Reef Octopus VarioS return pump , UV sterilizer Ice Cap 3K Gyre - Started up 8/13/19

08/18/2013, 11:37 AM	#2
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	many people will put all their livestock into a temporary holding tank, either buy an extra 55 gallon tank, set it on the floor, transfer the rock and all fish and coral (never the sand) into it, then get to work buildling the new setup. or get a large tote or plastic bin from walmart and put everything in there. you can keep it running wiht just powerheads and a heater, hang your light above it. then setup your new tank and cycle it.

08/18/2013, 05:15 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Is the new tank going to sit where the old tank is currently set up at? If it is in a different location it makes things easier, but either way: First I would get a Brute Trash can or two and cycle your new rock. once the cycle is complete, break down the old tank if the new one sits in its place, or simply set up the 180 in the new location.Fill the new 180 with your freshly cycled rock and add salt water, move in your old live rock, transfer the fish and then convert the sump. You can go a few weeks without a sump, you just need heaters and powerheads for water movement. With 180 gallons of mostly freshly made water you wouldn't even need a skimmer for a couple of weeks.