How to add water during the upgrade ?

Berlibee · Jun 5, 2016

Hello,

I have a 20g system with around 15g of water in it. And I'm planing to upgrade for a 47g tank with 20g sump. So it's going to be around 60g total water. I've an established system with many sps. What I need to do so I don't stress too much corals please. How to make that transition the safest way?

Thank you!

d2mini · Jun 5, 2016

Just think of it as a large water change.
Match your parameters (temp, alc, calc, mag) and you should be fine.

Will you be reusing your sand? Movement of the sand and rock (or adding using new sand) is what may cause a small cycle.
Also, all the new plumbing and everything will have to get all new bacteria on it.

Cment · Jun 5, 2016

This is pretty easy to do...make up new water to match your existing water parameters first. After you checked it, add all the water from your existing tank to the new one along with the new water you've made up and you're good to go. Avoid using you old sand. That's it...

Berlibee · Jun 5, 2016

No I run a BB system, no sand, only rocks.
Ok sounds easy guys, thanks.

Berlibee · Jun 5, 2016

@d2mini @Cment One more question, I run my system at 7 and salt mix is 9-10° dKH. Leave it like this or I need to drop it somehow before adding?

Diesel · Jun 5, 2016

If you coming from a 30 gallon system and twice as much water you'll raise your ALK also twice as much
7 to 9, your tank will be sitting at 8 after the transfer.
Maybe raise your current level to 7.5 or even 8 a few days before the transfer.
It will be easier on the corals, for the fish it ain't no problem.

Berlibee · Jun 5, 2016

Sounds good yes and I'll drop it back later.

@Diesel Thank you.

Cment · Jun 5, 2016

Diesel said:
If you coming from a 30 gallon system and twice as much water you'll raise your ALK also twice as much
7 to 9, your tank will be sitting at 8 after the transfer.
Maybe raise your current level to 7.5 or even 8 a few days before the transfer.
It will be easier on the corals, for the fish it ain't no problem.

yep diesel is spot on, raise your alk up slowly over the next week to 8 or close to it before doing the transfer