30 gallon tank for Christmas , help!

Chrisfish · Dec 27, 2015

well I am upgrading my 8 gallon nano reef to a 30 gallon reef that I got for Christmas. I'm really excited but nervous too. I need help on the best way to transfer my live rock water and live sand ( if I should, or use new live sand) also what would be the new hob skimmer and filter. Looking at t5 for lighting. Currently have 1 Picasso clown and 1 Wyoming white clown and a yello goby with cuc and corals. I need all the help I can get , PLEASE!!!

rayn · Dec 27, 2015

Tank in the same spot or new? If in a new spot. Just get new sand, it's just plain easier. Rinse it well and put in the tank. Get it about half or so filled with new water and move over the rock work and any corals. Then move fish and fill with water.

I use a remora HOB skimmer on my 40 and it seems to work well, there are other brands too.

Breakthecycle2 · Dec 27, 2015

Just think of it as a very large water change.

Chrisfish · Dec 27, 2015

Do I use any of the water from my old tank?

Chrisfish · Dec 27, 2015

rayn said:
Tank in the same spot or new? If in a new spot. Just get new sand, it's just plain easier. Rinse it well and put in the tank. Get it about half or so filled with new water and move over the rock work and any corals. Then move fish and fill with water.

I use a remora HOB skimmer on my 40 and it seems to work well, there are other brands too.

No tank will now be in my living room. So you don't have a filter system since you have a skimmer? And thanks for replying

Devlin · Dec 27, 2015

Chrisfish said:
Do I use any of the water from my old tank?

Use all of your water and live rock from your old tank. I did a an upgrade months back. From 15 to 40. Everything survived. I got used water from my LFS and 10 gallons of new saltwater. Use new sand rinse well. Let the tank go for about 2 weeks with some new live rock. When your parameters are good. Make the switch. Run some nitrate rocks when you do the switch to help with swings. I also use microbacter to help with the cycle. I did the switch in 2 weeks time. From start to finish. I didn't lose a single fish or member of clean up crew. Also 2 seahorses that are doing great.