Adding more volume?

Pkunk35 · Oct 1, 2012

Morning R2R, I have a question about adding volume to my current setup that I'm hoping some people can give me advice on.

I currently run a 20 gal with no sump but would like to add a second tank underneath. My tank is about 5 years or so old and is full of coral.

My questions:

1) I don't see a reason as to why it would, but if i add an additional say 20 gallons of just fresh saltwater to the system, would my tank cycle?
2) I expect so but is my biggest concern here matching the water chemistry of the newly added saltwater to my existing parameters? I am most concerned about alkalinity swing in the tank.

Any suggestions or insights or ideas welcome...I'm planning on upgrading and all this will help me decide which direction to go in.

Thanks in advance and here's a older pic of my tank (sorry for the terrible iphone/led combo pic...i'm working on it), it looks a bit different now but you get the idea:

paul

Flipside · Oct 1, 2012

I don't foresee your tank undergoing any kind of cycle unless you add some live rock or live sand to the "sump." Also, you're alkalinity shouldn't suffer anymore than a typical water change would swing it. You may have to compensate on your dosing, if you do dose, though.

o2manyfish · Oct 2, 2012

As the previous poster stated, adding the volume will not create a cycle.

Dave B

Chameleon · Oct 2, 2012

Yeah its just like a large water change so try to match params as much as possible. If you want you can even do a slow acclimation to the new water by using something like a aqualifter or peristaltic pump 50mL an hour as a return from the bottom tank. This would allow for a slower acclimation to the new water. Once acclimated switch out the return with the real thing.

Timfish · Oct 2, 2012

What they said. You could also hook up the sump then do 5 gallon water changes until the sump level is where you're going to run it then turn on your main pump.

Pkunk35 · Oct 2, 2012

Chameleon said:
Yeah its just like a large water change so try to match params as much as possible. If you want you can even do a slow acclimation to the new water by using something like a aqualifter or peristaltic pump 50mL an hour as a return from the bottom tank. This would allow for a slower acclimation to the new water. Once acclimated switch out the return with the real thing.

This idea is intriguing...i like it.

Thanks for giving me the confidence, guys! Looks like a sump/2nd display will be plumbed in soon!