Could a TANK ONLY change trigger a mini cycle?

Jackmot · Jul 16, 2021

Hey!
So I’ve been working for quite some time with a nano reef tank project where I made a beautiful transparent overflow siphon that looked very promising but after some time the problems began and now I think that it’s time to finally drill a tank and make a proper overflow.

My idea is to buy the exact same tank that I have and modify it by removing one of the glass walls and change it for a pre drilled acrylic one that already has an external overflow design (really similar to the nuvo ext design) and after everything’s dried out simply change the corals into the new tank and fill it with the same water and rocks. (for the moment I only have a pulsing Xenia, GSP, a mushroom and 2 turbos)

My question is if this movement could somehow trigger a mini cycle and kill my livestock. What do you guys think?

PS: if I do end up doing this I promise to post some pics haha

CoralB · Jul 16, 2021

Have you considered a hang on the back overflow rather than buying a new tank to drill?

Jackmot · Jul 16, 2021

Yeah, I did considered that but im starting to really don’t like siphon overflows to be honest hahaha

Right now I’m hardly ever at home so I need very trustable plumbing in order for me to sleep without wondering if my tank is dripping water on my bedroom

is there any overflow that you prefer?

CoralB · Jul 16, 2021

Ok I get that . As long as your using the existing rock without killing the bacteria and water plus the existing power head or flow you shouldn’t have too much of a bloom . I wouldn’t use the existing sand if you have any and if your adding new sand it would take a little time to establish but as long as you don’t overfeed or add new livestock right away you should be fine . Keep up with your water changes , test your perimeters. Add your favorite good bacteria . I’ve moved up to larger tank doing what I just said and never had issues . Make sure parameters , temp, lighting is the same in the new tank before moving your livestock over .now if your adding new rock or media to a sump that is a different story . When you do this add new rock or media a little at a time over a month or two unless it’s seeded prior . Have fun good luck

CoralB · Jul 16, 2021

Seeded or live rock or media

Jackmot · Jul 16, 2021

I’ts actually a bare bottom tank, all of my rocks are in the sump so there’s not much to move anyways haha.
Its a really small system, the total volume including the sump is approx 35 liters
PS: The first photo is from some months ago when the cycle was starting

outhouse · Jul 17, 2021

yes you could, ive done similar and had a 3 day cycle, and once a week. Use your nose, the water didnt smell right, didnt have that fresh earthy smell

Jackmot · Jul 17, 2021

outhouse said:
yes you could, ive done similar and had a 3 day cycle, and once a week. Use your nose, the water didnt smell right, didnt have that fresh earthy smell

So if I do it I WILL have a mini cycle? If so, is there any way to avoid it?

Would It be too crazy to drill a filled tank?

outhouse · Jul 18, 2021

Jackmot said:
So if I do it I WILL have a mini cycle? If so, is there any way to avoid it?

Would It be too crazy to drill a filled tank?

Possible, No. Yes. In mine I lost nothing due to the aged bacteria in sump and skimmer and live rock, despite rinsed sand

Jackmot · Jul 18, 2021

Okok, my tank is fairly new (aprox 6 months old and the livestock have only been there for 2 months aprox) so I don't think I have any perfectly established bacteria so I'll probably end up having some serious problems.
What would you recommend?
Is it crazy to try to Dremel the same filled tank im currently using?
Thanks again!!!

brandon429 · Jul 18, 2021

the move will not hurt. we do tank moves for fifty pages in the big thread out on front page here in reef discussion.

outhouse · Jul 18, 2021

Don't drill it with livestock. The 3 times I have done the tanks were empty

brandon429 · Jul 18, 2021

in our transfer thread we take apart the tank fully and hold things separately, sand is blast rinsed too, agreed he must drill and handle it all when disassembled. put back a clean tank just like we've moved homes.