Changing over 65 gal reef What would you do

[mlewandowski61]

Ok Here is my problem. I have had a couple of close calls with my current HOB overflow. It will occasionally get a air bubble in the tube and almost over fill DT. Lucky I was home . Well I have another 65 with a built in overflow that i bought. What is the best way to make the change ? My current DT is cram packed. I would like to take the current tank down and set the new one up same day using about 80 % same water and use All the sand which is only about 1-1 1/2" I would put all the SPS/LPS in a tote with the power heads running. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a pic so you can see I have the sucker full. I know that this would be good time for upgrade but I do not have space for anything bigger. What would you do.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

"Rent" enough food safe barrels from Home Depot to completely dump your tank. ( you have 90 days to return any items with the receipt and 30 with no receipt unfitness with a card)

That solves the rock and water temp storage.

If you have frags put them in a bucket

Try to coral as many inverts into a bucket as well.

I actually would put the fish in the large containers with the rocks and majority of tank water.

The sand bed is the next concern.

Deep ones need rinsed in ro water or to preserve bacteria use salt water from your tank.

Now you can put all the sand in something like a tote or buckets. Whatever.

Remove the old tank and put up the new.

Add the sand and very slowly add water to the tank to about 6 inches. If its cloudy let it settle.

You may need heaters and powerheads in the holding tanks in the meantime to aerate the water.

When the water clears add more until there's enough to submerge your aqua scape. Start the scape. Add the fish corals and the rest of the water.

 

[Kworker]

Lots of buckets and patience.

Fill up the buckets with fish rock coral and inverts. I would just go with new sand or take this as a chance to try out BB if you don't have anything that needs the sand bed. As soon all is removed just take down the old tank with help of a family member or friend. Put in the new. Right away depending on the setup of this tank you could begin adding back the stuff, fill up the tank say half way than add your rock and fish with the powerheads going. Than set up your plumbing from DT to sump.. this of course if you have easy access to your plumbing. You get the idea.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Lots of buckets and patience.

Fill up the buckets with fish rock coral and inverts. I would just go with new sand or take this as a chance to try out BB if you don't have anything that needs the sand bed. As soon all is removed just take down the old tank with help of a family member or friend. Put in the new. Right away depending on the setup of this tank you could begin adding back the stuff, fill up the tank say half way than add your rock and fish with the powerheads going. Than set up your plumbing from DT to sump.. this of course if you have easy access to your plumbing. You get the idea.

I would go with this method. I recommend having plenty of fresh saltwater on hand, at least 100% of the new tank's volume and test kits. Test the water frequently and be prepared to do water changes to help prevent any drastic swings in water parameters.