Cycle Question

[Chef Mateo]

I have a 10 gal running atm with one fish in it because I had to remove the fish from the DT. I'm going to upgrade that to a 20 gal.

So my question is can I put the water from that tank in to the 20 gal as well as 10 gal of RO/DI water in with it?

Would this restart the cycle?

Should I just be starting from scratch?

I would also be adding some LR because there isn't enough in the 10 for the 20. The 20 would be bare-bottom but I do have some LS in the 10 right now. (I know these factor into the cycle)

Also will the tank be able to cycle without equipment? Most of the equipment I'm using is in the 10 and can't move it unless I move the fish.

Thanks I'm just going to the LFS today so any responses would be great! Thank you!

 

[K7BMG]

I am wondering why did you have to remove the fish from the DT?
Is that a different tank? So your talking about a main DT a 10g and a new 20G?

If you have and established and cycled tank already. 10g
and your plan is to reuse the rock and sand from that tank in the new 20g tank then your good.
Increasing water volume but maintaining existing livestock and bacterial load is of no concern.

I would QT the newly purchased live rock, you dont want to introduce any unwanted pest or algae.

Let the new tank stabilize for a week before you add new livestock.
Once the new rock is deemed pest free then add it to the 20.
But thats just how I would do it.

 

[Chef Mateo]

I am wondering why did you have to remove the fish from the DT?
Is that a different tank? So your talking about a main DT a 10g and a new 20G?

If you have and established and cycled tank already. 10g
and your plan is to reuse the rock and sand from that tank in the new 20g tank then your good.
Increasing water volume but maintaining existing livestock and bacterial load is of no concern.

I would QT the newly purchased live rock, you dont want to introduce any unwanted pest or algae.

Let the new tank stabilize for a week before you add new livestock.
Once the new rock is deemed pest free then add it to the 20.
But thats just how I would do it.

I had to remove the fish (PJ Cardinal) from my DT because it was getting bullied, its fins were pretty tarnished. I moved him into the 10 after that and he is now fully healed after a month or two. I tried to add him back but he instantly got picked on again from clowns. So I want to move him into a 20 long term until I actually upgrade. The 20 is a better size for him and I can add a tankmate or two (likely a possum wrasse & clown goby).

I do have established rock in the 10, I took it from my main display so its been in my tanks for about 2 years.

I am going to reuse the rock but not the sand would that be ok or should I wait longer if I'm not using the sand? The sand has only been in the tanks for about 1-2 months.

My LFS has there liverock all pest free so I don't need to quarantine it, and its not like true LR it is the "Real Reef Rock" stuff.

Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[K7BMG]

You should be fine moving just the rock from the 10 without the sand.
I dont nor wont trust any live rock from a LFS to be free of pests.
But I am paranoid, so I know I am biased.

I would feed about half your normal for a week.
That is if you reduce the surface area for the bacteria.
Just transfering the rock without the sand.

If you add additional live rock from the LFS then you could probably feed normally.
I would add an ammonia badge or test frequently.

 

[Chef Mateo]

You should be fine moving just the rock from the 10 without the sand.
I dont nor wont trust any live rock from a LFS to be free of pests.
But I am paranoid, so I know I am biased.

I would feed about half your normal for a week.
That is if you reduce the surface area for the bacteria.
Just transfering the rock without the sand.

If you add additional live rock from the LFS then you could probably feed normally.
I would add an ammonia badge or test frequently.

I will listen to you advice, all of it sounds logical and realistic!
Thanks for the suggestions