Aquarium Move Help!

[Brandon Rush]

So I'm gonna be transferring my Red Sea Max-170 to a Reefer 170 right next to each other. I need a little guidance/help on how to get this done the easiest/safest way possible. I'm also gonna be switching from gravel to sand.

So my thought process was to have all the plumbing/sump ready on the new tank ready, and then add my sand. Once the sand was in I was going to fill up the tank about half way with new water. Once that's done I was going to start moving my live rock with corals over. Once transferred I was going to fill the tank the rest of the way and then start moving equipment. Finally, I plan on moving the fish and inverts.

My question is should I worry about an ammonia spike from the live sand die off? Will the live rock have enough bacteria to handle everything? Should I set up my refugium now or later? Am I missing something?

 

[hybridazn]

I wouldn't use the sand already in the tank. Get some freshly rinsed sand and put it as a base in the new tank, then transfer tank water from your established tank to your new tank. Then I would transfer rocks/coral and then lastly fish.

Get some Dr Tim's one and only and dose it in the new tank to help keep any cycles under control. Keep an eye on ammonia for a while after transferring as well.

It won't be a walk in the park but it shouldn't be a tall task either. Just take your time and don't rush anything.

 

[Brandon Rush]

I wouldn't use the sand already in the tank. Get some freshly rinsed sand and put it as a base in the new tank, then transfer tank water from your established tank to your new tank. Then I would transfer rocks/coral and then lastly fish.

Get some Dr Tim's one and only and dose it in the new tank to help keep any cycles under control. Keep an eye on ammonia for a while after transferring as well.

It won't be a walk in the park but it shouldn't be a tall task either. Just take your time and don't rush anything.

Thanks for the reply. I did plan on using new sand as ill be switching from gravel. Should I rinse live sand?

 

[hybridazn]

Thanks for the reply. I did plan on using new sand as ill be switching from gravel. Should I rinse live sand?

If it's live sand in the bag no I wouldn't rinse it

 

[sfin52]

I would use as much water from the old tank as possible. You run less risk of shocking the inhabitants. Dr. Tim is a great recommendation. Once you move the rock and coral over pump as much water as you can to the new tank. This should make it easier to catch the fish.

@hybridazn do you also have to acclimate fish to the new tank?

 

[hybridazn]

I would use as much water from the old tank as possible. You run less risk of shocking the inhabitants. Dr. Tim is a great recommendation. Once you move the rock and coral over pump as much water as you can to the new tank. This should make it easier to catch the fish.

@hybridazn do you also have to acclimate fish to the new tank?

I never did, using previous tank water would prevent the issue of acclimation.