I don't know if this is the correct forum to post but only one that seems to fit. I made the mistake of when first starting saltwater tanks, 18 months ago, and buying from a big box store. I got the tank and starting with a canister filter. After doing research, I added a sump with reactors, skimmer and macro algae. But the overflow is a cpr over the top overflow because my tank isn't drilled. So I just purchased a second 40 gallon breeder tank from petco 50% off, no more dollar per gallon above 29 gallons. So I'm looking to drill overflows this weekend on the tank to plumb an overflow. My question is, if I were to switch tanks completely, will it cause a small cycle? The sump is going to stay the same, the live rock in the tank is going to stay the same. I'm only going to change the substrate because the one I purchased from the big box is not what I want. I was planning on adding two cups or so of the old substrate just to seed the substrate I'm going to purchase. I'm gonna put in Carib Sea live special grade. Is the live sand going to die if I rinse the bagged sand off? Also, how long would I have to wait for the new display tank to seed to be able for me to switch over my 29 gallon sump to my new sump which would be the old display 40 gallon breeder?
New tank
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First, the canister filter wasn't your downfall. Second, did you confirm that the tank can in fact be drilled... tempered? If you do the tank swap properly, no it won't cause a cycle. I've done this many times, just buy a cheap rubber tote and fill it with tank water, add a heater, air, etc and keep everything in there while you swap tanks, then fill it back up with everything thats in the tote. Many folks toss their current substrate and add new anyways so this is not an issue, however I can confess to using old substrate with no problems. You can rinse the old stuff thoroughly; you will kill all the good stuff, but you'll eliminate the nutrients which is what you want to do.
There's no need to rinse the live bagged sand... if you're going to do that then save your money and don't buy live sand.
You can do your tank swap immediately, no need to wait. I suggest buying a bottle of bacteria to help replace your losses.
There's no need to rinse the live bagged sand... if you're going to do that then save your money and don't buy live sand.
You can do your tank swap immediately, no need to wait. I suggest buying a bottle of bacteria to help replace your losses.
