Buying an existing tank

[jtgrundy]

I'm looking at buying an established tank next week. In reading it seems like I can transfer everything from the tank, anyone the experience with this ?

I would be buying a 75 gallon tank, standn, lightd and bringing substrate, live rock, coral, fish.

My plan is to bring at least 50% of the water from the tank with me and add any I need to. I was going to introduce the fish back into the tank in the same manner when buying new from the store since it was there existing tank and water

Travel time from the existing tank to my house is about an hour before the tear down and rebuild

Suggestions ?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm looking at buying an established tank next week. In reading it seems like I can transfer everything from the tank, anyone the experience with this ?

I would be buying a 75 gallon tank, standn, lightd and bringing substrate, live rock, coral, fish.

My plan is to bring at least 50% of the water from the tank with me and add any I need to. I was going to introduce the fish back into the tank in the same manner when buying new from the store since it was there existing tank and water

Travel time from the existing tank to my house is about an hour before the tear down and rebuild

Suggestions ?

One thing I would strongly suggest is new sand. When you're pulling up the rocks and moving everything around, all the trapped nastyness in the sand is going to get released into the water and will cause nutrient spikes. So I'd take half to 3/4 the water, put the rock, coral, and fish in with it, empty the tank, toss the old sand. Have enough new water at your place made up ready go to, transfer it all, put in the new sand, put in your rock and coral. Add your old water, put the fish in and top off with the new water. You may experience a small cycle. Just keep an eye on your levels and water change to compensate.

 

[ca1ore]

I have done this kind of move many times. Last time it was a 6 hr move, no major issues. Most people will tell you to not reuse old sand, and I do think it's a generally sensible recommendation. I have sometimes reused some, other times not. Depends a bit on the condition of the sand bed. When I did my last changeover, I used the top half of the old sand, but not the lower, detritus laden layers. If you use dry sand, make sure to wash it really well as it contains a ton of crap.

 

[jtgrundy]

One thing I would strongly suggest is new sand. When you're pulling up the rocks and moving everything around, all the trapped nastyness in the sand is going to get released into the water and will cause nutrient spikes. So I'd take half to 3/4 the water, put the rock, coral, and fish in with it, empty the tank, toss the old sand. Have enough new water at your place made up ready go to, transfer it all, put in the new sand, put in your rock and coral. Add your old water, put the fish in and top off with the new water. You may experience a small cycle. Just keep an eye on your levels and water change to compensate.

So I'm clear, live rock and fish in the same container ? I would hate for the rock to shift and get a fish trapped.

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I'm clear, live rock and fish in the same container ? I would hate for the rock to shift and get a fish trapped.

I'd do fish in their own container, and then rock and coral in their own container.

 

[jda]

Try and put the rock back where it was... as least the part that touches the sand. That part of the rock will have bacteria growing on it that needs no oxygen... and it will die when exposed to it. Then, the new part that you put into the sand will have aerobic bacteria that will also die. Ideally, you want the oxic and anoxic zones to stay where they were. While this probably will not be 100% possible, I would try and do the best that you can.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Try and put the rock back where it was... as least the part that touches the sand. That part of the rock will have bacteria growing on it that needs no oxygen... and it will die when exposed to it. Then, the new part that you put into the sand will have aerobic bacteria that will also die. Ideally, you want the oxic and anoxic zones to stay where they were. While this probably will not be 100% possible, I would try and do the best that you can.

Agreed, take a picture of the rockscape before you tear it down to move it, and try to reassemble as close as possible. Good tip

 

[jda]

Have some ammonia-lock on hand, just in case. ...and extra fresh saltwater for an emergency water change. I also like to run some activated carbon for the first 24/48 hours to see if you can soak up some of the organics and lessen the stress on the bioload.

 

[JoshKReef]

Check the tank for a manufacture date. Also look to see if the seals look to be redone or worn. I learned the hard way.

 

[CPL376]

Just a side note. I would like to nominate jda for the best avatar ever

 

[mike werner]

I have moved a few and totally agree with all the above posts.one thing you may notice is coralline algae on the glass when exposed to air to long will whiten and die.if you have a nice culture on the glass you want to save cover it with some plastic wrap to keep it moist till you fill the tank.this should help it to survive a little better.

 

[PhreeByrd]

I've also done this several times, and all of the advice offered here is good. I save some of the old sand as seed stock and mix it with new sand when re-setting up the system. This jump starts the biological processes without carrying a lot of detritus-laden material to the new sand bed. For a 75 gal., I'd save a couple quart jars of the old sand to mix into the new and ditch the rest (or wash it really well before using it).

 

[jtgrundy]

Just wanted to update you guys. I got the tank last Wednsday and Made the move. Everything went good, and everything survived. There was little to no sand bed so I added new sand. I couldn't keep the rocks the way he had them as I hated the layout haha.

Now I need to merge my 46 tank into the 75 here