45 to 40B

[Widdlyscudds]

I currently have a 45 gallon tank that I've had up and running for roughly 10 months at this point and there are a lot of things about it that annoy me, the dimesnions are 36x13x24 inches and I'm getting sick of fumbling around armpit deep in water every time I have to do something, there is also virtually no room in the cabinet for a sump and i would very much like one at this point. I have read through the tank transfer thread and am aware of the risks involved, should I wait for things to mature more before moving everything or just go for it? I plan on going bare bottom if I do the move. I'm scared of potential losses and trying to weigh risk vs reward.

 

[vlangel]

I currently have a 45 gallon tank that I've had up and running for roughly 10 months at this point and there are a lot of things about it that annoy me, the dimesnions are 36x13x24 inches and I'm getting sick of fumbling around armpit deep in water every time I have to do something, there is also virtually no room in the cabinet for a sump and i would very much like one at this point. I have read through the tank transfer thread and am aware of the risks involved, should I wait for things to mature more before moving everything or just go for it? I plan on going bare bottom if I do the move. I'm scared of potential losses and trying to weigh risk vs reward.

Looking at your set up, I think if you transfer everything as it is keeping the rock, most of the water and transfer the sponge on that filter, you should be fine. You could have some biospira or one of the other live bacterias in a bottle on hand as well as an ammonia test kit. Test your water every other day after the transfer and my guess is the worst you will have is a small mini cycle that water changes will deal with. Probably in 2 weeks your new 40B will be as stable as the 45 is right now.

I was a maintenance tech for a lfs so I have experience with this sort of transfer and they always went well for me.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

Looking at your set up, I think if you transfer everything as it is keeping the rock, most of the water and transfer the sponge on that filter, you should be fine. You could have some biospira or one of the other live bacterias in a bottle on hand as well as an ammonia test kit. Test your water every other day after the transfer and my guess is the worst you will have is a small mini cycle that water changes will deal with. Probably in 2 weeks your new 40B will be as stable as the 45 is right now.

I was a maintenance tech for a lfs so I have experience with this sort of transfer and they always went well for me.

If I do the move I have a choice between a 10 gallon and a 20 tall as a sump, which would you recommend?

 

[vlangel]

I had a tall sump under the cabinet of my tank once and it was very hard to work in. There just was not much room to get my hands and arms in it with the top of the sump being so close to the bottom of the cabinet.

That being said, a bigger sump allows for more water volume which is good and the taller sump will allow more room for evaporation with out the return pump running dry. If you have an ATO that is not an issue.

 

[vlangel]

Sorry, I am not implying that you would not keep an eye on the water level in the sump but I am thinking if you go away for a weekend or something.

 

[fish farmer]

If I do the move I have a choice between a 10 gallon and a 20 tall as a sump, which would you recommend?

I would go larger than a 10 gallon. I tried a 10 with my 29 gallon and once I put my skimmer, return pump and heater in there, there wasn't much room left for water when the power shuts off and the overflow drops a bit. I have a 20 tall now, but I have plenty of access room from above, it has an area for chaeto, the skimmer, return pump and a couple of heaters. If the footprint of your stand can accommodate a 20 tall, it should also fit a 15 gallon I believe.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

I would go larger than a 10 gallon. I tried a 10 with my 29 gallon and once I put my skimmer, return pump and heater in there, there wasn't much room left for water when the power shuts off and the overflow drops a bit. I have a 20 tall now, but I have plenty of access room from above, it has an area for chaeto, the skimmer, return pump and a couple of heaters. If the footprint of your stand can accommodate a 20 tall, it should also fit a 15 gallon I believe.

Okay awesome, I have several 20 talls laying around so I was definetly leaning in that direction, thanks for the input