from 46 to 90. Advise?

[firefightered]

I"ll be going from a 46gal to a 75-90 gal in a few weeks. My tank has been going for at least 5yrs. Should I tranfer everything such as sand, rock and everything else or should I purchase new sand. I do not want this tank to go through a cycle. I have a Manderan that relies heavily on the Pod poplulation so I'm keeping the old rock and adding more dry to the system. The biggest problem I think will be the sand issue. If I transfer the old sand it will stir things up and possibly crash the new tank before it gets started........Any good helpfull advise?

 

[redfishbluefish]

You don't want to simply transfer sand. I'd also question adding dry rock to your new system without first curing the rock. The new rock will cycle. Add your old rock and set up a Brute with a powerhead and heater to cure the new rock.

So with the sand, my first recommendation is to use new sand. The second choice would be to wash the old sand and add that.

 

[firefightered]

I was thinking on going with all new sand (black) anyway. Should I go with dead or alive sand. I currently have about 60 lbs of rock in my 46 already. How long should I allow the dry rock to cure? (4-6 wks) Also, can I trnsfer the water with no ill affects?

You don't want to simply transfer sand. I'd also question adding dry rock to your new system without first curing the rock. The new rock will cycle. Add your old rock and set up a Brute with a powerhead and heater to cure the new rock.

So with the sand, my first recommendation is to use new sand. The second choice would be to wash the old sand and add that.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Here is what I have done when I have upgraded:

I used all new sand and then seed it with about a cup or two of my existing sand. I did not want to risk stirring up my sand which could potentially cause a cycle.
I used mostly new water. The water column harbors very little of the beneficial bacteria.
I used all the live rock from my existing system and added dry rock. I added dry rock because I did not want to risk a cycle from using live rock that was shipped or from a LFS because I did not want the rock to have die off that causes a cycle and I did not want to introduce unwanted hitchhikers.
I had plenty of water made up and new test kits. I tested the water twice a day and was ready to do a water change as necessary.
I also used microbater to help things along.

This method worked for me.

 

[firefightered]

Yhanks seahorsekeeper.... sounds like a plan. I just hope things go as they should.

Here is what I have done when I have upgraded:

I used all new sand and then seed it with about a cup or two of my existing sand. I did not want to risk stirring up my sand which could potentially cause a cycle.
I used mostly new water. The water column harbors very little of the beneficial bacteria.
I used all the live rock from my existing system and added dry rock. I added dry rock because I did not want to risk a cycle from using live rock that was shipped or from a LFS because I did not want the rock to have die off that causes a cycle and I did not want to introduce unwanted hitchhikers.
I had plenty of water made up and new test kits. I tested the water twice a day and was ready to do a water change as necessary.
I also used microbater to help things along.

This method worked for me.