Help!! and Opinions

I-K@ndY · May 27, 2009

Hi guys I broke down my LPS show tank on my bedroom . I acquired a new 40g cube and wifey said no more tank upstairs. Since I dont have a choice I have to put it next to my 90g cube and wanted to know if its better to tie the new tank to my 90g without losing pieces. I know and think that I will have a water spike or even a mini cycle. What can I do or expect when I tie it on the 90g cube? Any suggestions?.. Also I can run it seperately as I have all the equipment ( Skimmer,return pump and sump)... I need people to give me input. I have so many precious gem on my 90g cube ( SPS and LPS) and really dont want to hurt them by tieing this new tank.. but I want to tie it so It will be easier for me ( electricity, dosing and cleaning).. Thanks any help will eb appreciated..

Viva'sReef · May 27, 2009

Run it seperatly until it cycles, then plumb it in after.

Im having to do something similar with the new 110g sump im putting on my 120g display

roshi719 · May 27, 2009

Steve, I don't see any issue with tying it in to your cube. As for a mini cyle, If you cure all the rock in a brute can before putting it in the 40 there should be no cycle. Only issue I see is in adjusting your dosages for the brightwell products to compensate for the increase in volume. You already have LPS in the cube with SPS so chemical warefare shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure your skimmer will handle the additional volume, or throw a second skimmer in the sump if there is room. Just my .02

rocko918 · May 27, 2009

do a 40 gallon water change on the 90 and put that water in the 40, then plumb it in, no cycle , slowly add rock over a few weeks.

gioNVA · May 27, 2009

Just send me some of your SPS and LPS in case something happens to yours

Will this 40g have new rock/sand or will it be mainly a frag tank? When I plumbed in my frag tank (30g), I just did 2x15g water changes in 2 days and reused the old water for the 30g. I just used a small heater and a maxijet in the frag tank until I had everything plumbed. My frag tank doesn't have any rock nor sand though so I didn't have to worry about another big cycle.

If you have new rock and sand, do what Viva or rocko suggested.

Poseidon · May 27, 2009

If the tank is running upstairs now, and you simply move it in with the 90, then I don't see where you will get a cycle at all.

Viva'sReef · May 27, 2009

Yeah I figured you were going for a full blown new setup....Not just a frag tank. If your adding Rock and Sand, I would do what I mentioned and setup a stand alone system until it cycles, then plumb in after. If its just a frag tank, you could probably just set it up with Fresh mixed saltwater for a day or 2, then open up the plumbing to the rest of your system. Would be like doing a 40g water change once the new SW mixes in

I-K@ndY · May 27, 2009

ok the only one I will use is the Live sand from the old tank. I save one niece piece of LR from the old tank and I have 3 nice pieces of LR thats in my 90g cube sump.... ( been there for 4 months ). I will rinse the sand again today and will re use it. So I guess I have to do a big water change on my cube. This tank will only be LPS ..I have a Deltec MCE600 and LMIII laying around.