I need some input.

[jnj97]

It's about that time to upgrade my tank. I'm currently running at 55 with hob filters. I'm upgrading to a 125 with a 55 sump. I'm going to be transferring all the live rock, sand and water from the existing 55 to the 125. I also adding 4 bags on new live aragonite to the 125. How do I do this without causing a cycle??? Any input or advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance

 

[cjd]

I have transferred countless tanks . As long as you use as much of the "old "water and rock you will be fine. As far as the sand goes I find it much easier to replace the majority of it with new sand . You want to put the new sand in first , then add a handful or two of the old on top. I don't know how deep your existing sand bed is so try not to disturb it until the water that you are going to reuse is out. A couple of 32 gallon trash cans to empty your old tank and store the water till your ready to fill the new tank and a lot of towels! Just think of it as a massive water change . Try to get the parameters of the freshly made saltwater to match your existing and top off the tank with the new . Don't use a different salt brand at this time your inhabitants are going to be stressed , changing anything at this time would be to stressful. Of courses you need to watch for a cycle just to be safe , but as long as your existing rock stays "alive" there shouldn't be any problem.

 

[WLDSHARK]

Congrats on the upgrade! I will advice not to transfer your old sand, go with new sand and just a cup or two of your old sand to seed the new one. The unwritten rule is to buy new live sand when moving tanks, unless you are 100% sure that the old sand is not going to be disturbed. In your case the sand will be 100% disturbed and this will send your new tank on a nasty cycle. New sand will save you tons of headaches, Best of luck.

 

[jnj97]

When I upgraded from a 20 to a 55 I used my old sand. Hmmm

 

[cjd]

Old sand is a risky move , just depends on the depth and all of the build up in the old sand . Just easier and safer to start out new . Plus you have a new fresh tank going up , I would want new sand in there anyway! You can rinse the old sand out with regular water with a bucket and garden hose , I have done that before making it like new , but All that time of rinsing and rerinsing and rinsing again , Worth a new bag to me. Depending on the depth of the existing sand this is a basic table of our concerns of using existing sand:

 

[RyanSweet]

I've upgraded setups multiple times over the years. In my experience (depending on how long the current setup has been running) it's better to throw out, or at least rinse, the old sand and use most or all new sand. Use some of the water from the old setup in the new tank. My understanding is that helps with beneficial bacteria.

I'm not a scientist and I'm sure others have more experience and differing opinions, but this has been my experience when setting up new tanks and transferring livestock over.