How to switch from one tank to another

Thomas36 · Dec 19, 2015

Hey guys,

I have a friend who is giving me a 50 gallon corner tank with a dogface puffer, tiger and clown fish the tank is an established 7-8 year old tank the sand and live rock are teaming with life.

Here is my question I live in a small house so a corner stand isn't going work for me so I was thinking about transporting everything into my 48 gallon tank that some of you had seen me post about. Now I know established tanks are key in this Hobbie but if I move everything live rock,sand water etc. I would even switch sumps as his is better established what harm would I be doing? Would I be ruining an 8 year old established tank?

rayn · Dec 19, 2015

Personally I wouldn't worry about the sand as it will probably be full of detrius and could create a cycle if moved. Other option is to rinse it, but that kinda kills the point of a established sand bed.

Rock is a different story. Fill a bucket or container with his water and move the rock into the bucket and transport wet. Then into your tank.

brandon429 · Dec 19, 2015

Yes nothing could be simpler

Simply install brand new sandbed during the move

It does not cycle, because a bag of Fiji pink or any other new sand doesn't have rotting organics. This move is easy to do and not cycle. Rocks will not be harmed nor corals, just don't move the old sand without either replacing it all or rinsing it all totally free of rot before going in new tank.

Thunt4jr · Dec 19, 2015

Use coolers for fishes and make sure it's black out, get portable air pump from Walmart fishing section and have air in the cooler for the fishes. You can use the buckets for fish as well but keep em separate from the rocks.
What rayn said is the best option.

rayn · Dec 19, 2015

I didn't think about the fish, sorry. I was more on the tank rock itself.

Fin · Dec 19, 2015

Since the old sand bed is "teeming with life," if I were making the switch, I would add a cup or two of the old sand to the new sand bed to inoculate your new set up with the fauna from the established tank.