Upgrading from 65gal to 150gal....Questions

Yellow05gt · 03/10/2014, 01:57 PM

As the title says I'm going to be upgrading my tank size from a 65 gallon to a 150 gallon. I'm going to be adding another Maxspect Razor LED light to my other one. I'll be adding another 53lbs of live sand and using my other 34lbs already in my 65 DT. Should I get more or do you think that's enough? I'll use my 60lbs of Live Rock also and obviously adding more. How imparative is it that I add that right away? My skimmer is only rated to 132 gallons. Should I sell this one and buy a bigger one, or just add another skimmer? I'll eventually be turning my 65 in to a sump, but I'll have to wait on that for a little while. Any other suggestions and advise is always and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance ladies and gentlemen!

saltyair · 03/10/2014, 02:10 PM

i would upgrade the skimmer - over size is better for skimmers. I assume you are putting new sand in the 150? I would add a bit of your old sand to your sump using nylon sock.

The new tank will need to cycle and if you can go slow I would suggest it. I personally switched from a 75 to a 180. It will be almost like starting over. if you can divide the sump so you can have a refug

Yellow05gt · 03/10/2014, 02:21 PM

So do you say it'll be like starting over because I'm adding the new live sand in with my old?

thegrun · 03/10/2014, 03:24 PM

As far as the sand goes, I would start with all new dry sand, not live sand. If you reuse the sand in your current tank you risk starting a new cycle since the old sand often contains enough trapped detritus to start a cycle when it gets stirred up during the transfer process. The “live” sand you purchase can also contain more dead than live organics that also could start a new cycle. Do yourself a favor and start with all new dry sand (wash it first to remove the fine sand “dust”). You can add new rock anytime you want provided that you first cycle it in a separate container. I would not add any additional livestock beyond what you currently have in your 65 gallon tank until you add more cured (cycled) rock. I would get a bigger skimmer, again you could start with your current skimmer and upgrade it before you add more livestock.

DocHogan · 03/10/2014, 04:31 PM

Def use new sand. Your skimmer is probably rated for 132 gallons under ideal situation. Look at reef octopus and you will see they rate their skimmers for different size tanks and how stocked the tank will be. Just my opinion.

03/10/2014, 01:57 PM	#1
Yellow05gt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 115	Upgrading from 65gal to 150gal....Questions As the title says I'm going to be upgrading my tank size from a 65 gallon to a 150 gallon. I'm going to be adding another Maxspect Razor LED light to my other one. I'll be adding another 53lbs of live sand and using my other 34lbs already in my 65 DT. Should I get more or do you think that's enough? I'll use my 60lbs of Live Rock also and obviously adding more. How imparative is it that I add that right away? My skimmer is only rated to 132 gallons. Should I sell this one and buy a bigger one, or just add another skimmer? I'll eventually be turning my 65 in to a sump, but I'll have to wait on that for a little while. Any other suggestions and advise is always and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance ladies and gentlemen! Last edited by Yellow05gt; 03/10/2014 at 02:19 PM.

03/10/2014, 02:10 PM	#2
saltyair Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ontario canada Posts: 871	i would upgrade the skimmer - over size is better for skimmers. I assume you are putting new sand in the 150? I would add a bit of your old sand to your sump using nylon sock. The new tank will need to cycle and if you can go slow I would suggest it. I personally switched from a 75 to a 180. It will be almost like starting over. if you can divide the sump so you can have a refug __________________ Johnny you know what to do, you know what to do. Bye for now - Eric the actor R.I.P Current Tank Info: 180 gal

03/10/2014, 02:21 PM	#3
Yellow05gt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 115	So do you say it'll be like starting over because I'm adding the new live sand in with my old?

03/10/2014, 03:24 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	As far as the sand goes, I would start with all new dry sand, not live sand. If you reuse the sand in your current tank you risk starting a new cycle since the old sand often contains enough trapped detritus to start a cycle when it gets stirred up during the transfer process. The “live” sand you purchase can also contain more dead than live organics that also could start a new cycle. Do yourself a favor and start with all new dry sand (wash it first to remove the fine sand “dust”). You can add new rock anytime you want provided that you first cycle it in a separate container. I would not add any additional livestock beyond what you currently have in your 65 gallon tank until you add more cured (cycled) rock. I would get a bigger skimmer, again you could start with your current skimmer and upgrade it before you add more livestock.

03/10/2014, 04:31 PM	#5
DocHogan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 119	Def use new sand. Your skimmer is probably rated for 132 gallons under ideal situation. Look at reef octopus and you will see they rate their skimmers for different size tanks and how stocked the tank will be. Just my opinion.