Changing tanks. Need help

[mwbeach]

So my new to me, used 20 gallon has a leak somewhere. I think on the underside. I'm loosing about a gallon a day. I know it is not evaporation, which was my first thought. I am going to go to petco for the $1 per gallon sale and get a 29 gallon.

What do I need to do to make this a successful transition?

Thanks

 

[mwbeach]

How do I move everything? Do I need to do anything special. Etc. What about corals and livestock? Just move all at once? It would only be 9 new gallons of water. So treat it like a water chance?

 

[Arnie]

Do u have a deep sand bed?

 

[Arnie]

When i moved i stored my corals and fish in a 10g tank with a filter canister, heater and powerhead for 3 days... used 75% of the old water... cleaned the sand a bit..... got my tank drilled for a drain and return coz i switched from canisters to a sump/refugium filter system

 

[mwbeach]

I have about 1-1.5 inches of sand

 

[mwbeach]

So I have a 20H right now. Going to get the 29. I know I need more sand and rock b do I need to increase CUC? Lights will be fine on it. Am I missing anything?

 

[Unknown]

I am actually going through the same thing. Would love to gain some insight on how to properly upgrade from one tank to another.

 

[Pete polyp]

If it were me I would pull everything out (rock/livestock) and put it in a rubbermaid tub with the tank water, heater and powerhead. Use the old sand I'm the new tank and add about 40lbs to give it a 4" sandbed. Your established rock should be able to process any new nutrients that may come from the sand. Just in case, put about 1/2 the rock back into the new tank and about 1/2 the water from the old tank. Just treat it as a 50% water change and everything will be fine. If you want to call me and I'll talk with you about it.

 

[Naiad]

I would not add any more livestock cuc included until the new tank settles. If you don't have a deep sand bed you can move it over but wash it very good. I honestly find it easier if possible to go with new sand for a tank swap and sell or use the old sand for a new tank. That way anything stirred up doesn't cycle. Be sure that whatever you are using can handle the extra water. Don't want to overflow a sump if power goes out ect.

 

[mwbeach]

Thank you all for the advice. Got the tank tonight and will begin working on it tomorrow

 

[Coraloliseffect]

Have done this at least 4 times myself with out any loss. 3x with sand 1x switched to bare bottom.

I put live stock and rocks carefully onto buckets with original tank water.
Likely un necessary but to stabilize ph and o2 have a bubbler I switch between buckets
Then drain rest of water and reserve.
Remove the sand and wash it thoroughly wit the reserved saltwater or other saltwater.

Perhaps unnecessary but preserved some of the sand. About a liter to save micro fauna un washed.
Once runs clean. Put the sand in the new tank.
Putting the reserved sand on top.
Then add some fresh water.
Add rocks and corals.
Add most of water with fishes into the tank. This gets the water in the tank to similar parameters.If moving to a large new tank would acclimated fish to new water.
Add the fish and inverts.
Let settle a bit and add fresh saltwater. top off to correct level.
Do a 20% water change the next day.
Don't add any thing new for at least a week.

Enjoy.




This is my approach surely there are many other good approaches.

Also it makes a mess. Ensure you have time and roommate / spousal approval.

 

[Coraloliseffect]

Also 29 is usually a high design. I recommend low. The 40 breeder is a great aspect ratio. $.02

 

[Kworker]

When picking up 29 for dollar gallon I would pick up another tank for QT and use it right away to help with transition. Siphon water into the temporary tank, move over livestock at same time. Once the leaking tank is empty move it out of way. Put the 29 in place and add back in.

I would avoid reusing sand.

 

[reefer Ard]

I agree with avoiding using the old sand unless it is extremely new. Stirring it up will just cause a cycle. Personally, I would use Coral's advice when it comes to the tank change. Just make sure your temporary tank or tub has some water flow in it.

 

[Frostyfish]

Another advocate of not re using the sand here, I went through a tank swap and was told re using the sand would just put instant amounts of un wanted detritus in the new tank. Using water from the old tank in the new tank is also not necessary, given you are using the same salt mix. All the beneficial bacteria is in your live rock, not the water, and you won't transfer any biological waste in the old water to the new tank.

 

[00ninja00]

Put everything into another tank/bin (holding tank) including the live rock and use the old tank water in there with circulation and heater. Try to use new sand if possible, if not all new then at least half new and use the upper half of the old sand. Fill up the new tank with the old water to about half from the holding tank and move everything in right away. Then fill the rest of the tank up with newly mixed water(mixed at least for a few hours and at same temp as holding tank water). You should not have much problems at all if done this way. If you have to leave livestocks in the holding tank for a day or two it's should be fine, just out a light over it. I've had holding tanks running for at least a month and no loses