in transition between tanks

hotelbravo · 02/24/2015, 02:32 AM

Ill be moving to a 75 gallon thursday and I currently have a 30 gallon. I plan to move all my lr over the the new tank to quick cycle it. I will then use all the old water to top off the new tank but my question is how long can my current inhabitant remain in my old tank with just the samd and water while I setup the new tank? I have a maroon clown, mandarin, RBTA a cleaner shrimp and numerous snails. Due to my work schedule I will not be able to do more than 2 hours of work setting up this tank so it will most likely need a few days

alexander_ktn · 02/24/2015, 05:01 AM

I probably wouldn't leave the animals in the old tank at all, if you transfer all of the live rock and some of the sand to the new tank (with aged fresh saltwater) the maybe resulting mini-cycle shouldn't be very bad.

If you add new live rock to the new tank that would be another matter, though.

Is anyone home to watch the animals? Because either way you do it the disruption might cause water quality problems (in the old tank a lot of gunk will be stirred up and the removed live rock will mean at least some loss of biological filtration; in the new tank bacteria might also not be at their best or ammonia from new live rock might cause problems).

So whichever way you do it it might be best to do it at a time where the tank inhabitants can be monitored for some time.

Dmorty217 · 02/24/2015, 06:00 AM

Either leave some LR and a power head pointed at the surface in the old tank with a heater or do the move in one day. Using water from the old system will provide you with no benefits... The nitrifying bacteria grows on the surfaces of our tanks,rock,sand ect Not in the water column

thegrun · 02/24/2015, 09:04 AM

I would cycle the new rock you plan on adding to the new system first, then transfer everything over at once. You can cycle the new rock in your new aquarium of just do it in a brute trash can with a heater and powerhead for water movement.

hotelbravo · 02/24/2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I would cycle the new rock you plan on adding to the new system first, then transfer everything over at once. You can cycle the new rock in your new aquarium of just do it in a brute trash can with a heater and powerhead for water movement.

there is no new rock only established cycled rock from my old tank

Dmorty217 · 02/24/2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

there is no new rock only established cycled rock from my old tank

employ what he said with your established rock and put your fish in with the rock until your ready with the new tank

02/24/2015, 02:32 AM	#1
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	in transition between tanks Ill be moving to a 75 gallon thursday and I currently have a 30 gallon. I plan to move all my lr over the the new tank to quick cycle it. I will then use all the old water to top off the new tank but my question is how long can my current inhabitant remain in my old tank with just the samd and water while I setup the new tank? I have a maroon clown, mandarin, RBTA a cleaner shrimp and numerous snails. Due to my work schedule I will not be able to do more than 2 hours of work setting up this tank so it will most likely need a few days

02/24/2015, 06:00 AM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Either leave some LR and a power head pointed at the surface in the old tank with a heater or do the move in one day. Using water from the old system will provide you with no benefits... The nitrifying bacteria grows on the surfaces of our tanks,rock,sand ect Not in the water column __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/24/2015, 05:01 AM	#2
alexander_ktn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austria Posts: 851	I probably wouldn't leave the animals in the old tank at all, if you transfer all of the live rock and some of the sand to the new tank (with aged fresh saltwater) the maybe resulting mini-cycle shouldn't be very bad. If you add new live rock to the new tank that would be another matter, though. Is anyone home to watch the animals? Because either way you do it the disruption might cause water quality problems (in the old tank a lot of gunk will be stirred up and the removed live rock will mean at least some loss of biological filtration; in the new tank bacteria might also not be at their best or ammonia from new live rock might cause problems). So whichever way you do it it might be best to do it at a time where the tank inhabitants can be monitored for some time.

02/24/2015, 09:04 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would cycle the new rock you plan on adding to the new system first, then transfer everything over at once. You can cycle the new rock in your new aquarium of just do it in a brute trash can with a heater and powerhead for water movement.