New tank. Returning member.

[gemini9]

Hello all. I'm not exactly new to the hobby. I've had a 30 gallon fish tank that has been up and running for a few years now. I've been kind of quiet for a while and haven't posted much. to be honest I think I got slightly bored.

This past Black Friday few months ago the local PetSmart was advertising a 60 gallon tank plus the stand for 100 bucks I couldn't pass the deal up so I bought it. the stand seems kinda cheap but it works. I also completely remodeled my living room and what better way to finish up the renovation project than to have brand new 60 gallon tank.

so here's what I'm wondering since I'm back at it. my plan is to disassemble and take down to 30 gallon tank and transfer everything over into the new 60 gallon tank in my living room.

if I add all of the live rock from my 30-gallon tank over into this new tank do you think it would be safe to go ahead and add the fish as well or should I wait until the new tank Cycles? if I add all of the live rock to my new aquarium I'm wondering will the new tank even cycle at all?

I have about 25 30 pounds of live rock in my 30g and put 40 pounds of dry rock into the new 60g... plus 40 pounds of live sand from caribsea. Water is still a bit Dusty from the new sand. I plan to use my HOB protein skimmer as well.

Good to be back!

 

[Dom]

Hello all. I'm not exactly new to the hobby. I've had a 30 gallon fish tank that has been up and running for a few years now. I've been kind of quiet for a while and haven't posted much. to be honest I think I got slightly bored.

This past Black Friday few months ago the local PetSmart was advertising a 60 gallon tank plus the stand for 100 bucks I couldn't pass the deal up so I bought it. the stand seems kinda cheap but it works. I also completely remodeled my living room and what better way to finish up the renovation project than to have brand new 60 gallon tank.

so here's what I'm wondering since I'm back at it. my plan is to disassemble and take down to 30 gallon tank and transfer everything over into the new 60 gallon tank in my living room.

if I add all of the live rock from my 30-gallon tank over into this new tank do you think it would be safe to go ahead and add the fish as well or should I wait until the new tank Cycles? if I add all of the live rock to my new aquarium I'm wondering will the new tank even cycle at all?

I have about 25 30 pounds of live rock in my 30g and put 40 pounds of dry rock into the new 60g... plus 40 pounds of live sand from caribsea. Water is still a bit Dusty from the new sand. I plan to use my HOB protein skimmer as well.

Good to be back!

What you are describing is called "seeding". And yes, your tank will still cycle, but the time it takes may be shortened.

I would move everything from the 30 gallon to the 60 gallon... even the water.

 

[gemini9]

I've read that the sand from the other tank should be discarded? I wasn't sure about moving the water over. But sure. I'll do that too. I've got 2 clowns, a pistol shrimp, camel back shrimp and yellow tailed blue damsel along with a few crabs. I suppose then at this point it is unsafe to move the fish over yet?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hello all. I'm not exactly new to the hobby. I've had a 30 gallon fish tank that has been up and running for a few years now. I've been kind of quiet for a while and haven't posted much. to be honest I think I got slightly bored.

This past Black Friday few months ago the local PetSmart was advertising a 60 gallon tank plus the stand for 100 bucks I couldn't pass the deal up so I bought it. the stand seems kinda cheap but it works. I also completely remodeled my living room and what better way to finish up the renovation project than to have brand new 60 gallon tank.

so here's what I'm wondering since I'm back at it. my plan is to disassemble and take down to 30 gallon tank and transfer everything over into the new 60 gallon tank in my living room.

if I add all of the live rock from my 30-gallon tank over into this new tank do you think it would be safe to go ahead and add the fish as well or should I wait until the new tank Cycles? if I add all of the live rock to my new aquarium I'm wondering will the new tank even cycle at all?

I have about 25 30 pounds of live rock in my 30g and put 40 pounds of dry rock into the new 60g... plus 40 pounds of live sand from caribsea. Water is still a bit Dusty from the new sand. I plan to use my HOB protein skimmer as well.

Good to be back!

Glad your back! Post some pictures of your new tank!

 

[cracker]

Welcome Back ! As for moving into a bigger tank. I'd think if You moved all the old rock & water It would be ok to put your fish in there. Just have some amquel or such & new water on hand if necessary.
As for the sand You can use the old sand but I would rinse it real ,real good & reuse . Or use new sand gotta rinse that out also.
You will get a cycle of some sort, can't really avoid it. How strong it will be ? Who knows .

 

[Dom]

I've read that the sand from the other tank should be discarded? I wasn't sure about moving the water over. But sure. I'll do that too. I've got 2 clowns, a pistol shrimp, camel back shrimp and yellow tailed blue damsel along with a few crabs. I suppose then at this point it is unsafe to move the fish over yet?

Yes... I've heard that moving your substrate to the new tank isn't the greatest of ideas, but I can't explain why.

I always have moved my substrate as it helps to seed just like moving over your live rock and water. Also, moving your filter media to the new tank is a good way to seed the tank with nitrifying bacteria.

Clowns and damsels are very hearty fish. They tolerate less than perfect conditions well, making them good beginner fish. I think they would tolerate being moved if you wanted to. But I wouldn't yet. Obviously get the 60 set up and then transfer everything over. But be sure to have about 40 gallons of new water on hand and ready to go.

 

[gemini9]

I already added some live sand from Carob Sea. Ocean direct. I forgot to rinse it tho so the water was pretty cloudy for awhile and allot of dust is on the bottom of the tank now. I'm throwing away the old sand because of detritus build up. somehow I'll have to find my pistol shrimp tho. he's in there somewhere.

Maybe I'll wait awhile before putting in the fish. I tested ammonia today and it reads 0. nitrite also 0 so far.

Oh, I'll get some pics tomorrow.