Question-lightening -Upgrading to 90 gallon tank

[Lisa Cain]

I am upgrading from a 32 biocube all in one to a 90 gallon tank with a sank, I have three questions listed below:
1. What is the best reasonably priced LED lights that will allow anemones and corals to do well ?
2. They are selling me a sump with bioballs? Is that ok?
3. Can I transfer the water from my 32 gallon and simply transfer the fish and corals or do I need to let the new 90 gallon tank cycle?

 

[ZoWhat]

Per your Title, you definitely don't want lightening striking your 90g gal tank. Lol!

 

[Lisa Cain]

Thank you I am trying to edit but cannot change title.

 

[CSmooth2009]

Depends ultimately on your price range for lighting.. I run a single Wattshine 140 watt LED on my 35 gallon tank right now and it does great... it only cost me 55 bucks brand new on EBay.. I would go at least 3 of those fixtures on the 90 gallon tank.. the sump with bio balls... there’s nothing wrong with that [emoji1360] when transferring from your smaller tank to a large tank... I would cycle anyways.. unless you have a lot of live rock.. I would take as much water from your tank , put it in ur 90 and toss the sand that you have if u have it... and put in new sand after you cleaned the sand [emoji1360] that’s how I have done it and it worked for me... just don’t add a bunch of fish right away... let your tank stabilize some first [emoji1360]

 

[CSmooth2009]

This a few pics of the coral and bta that’s in my tank with the Wattshine 140watt fixture... the light is dimmable [emoji1360]

 

[Lisa Cain]

Depends ultimately on your price range for lighting.. I run a single Wattshine 140 watt LED on my 35 gallon tank right now and it does great... it only cost me 55 bucks brand new on EBay.. I would go at least 3 of those fixtures on the 90 gallon tank.. the sump with bio balls... there’s nothing wrong with that [emoji1360] when transferring from your smaller tank to a large tank... I would cycle anyways.. unless you have a lot of live rock.. I would take as much water from your tank , put it in ur 90 and toss the sand that you have if u have it... and put in new sand after you cleaned the sand [emoji1360] that’s how I have done it and it worked for me... just don’t add a bunch of fish right away... let your tank stabilize some first [emoji1360]

Thank you so much!

 

[ZoWhat]

Thank you I am trying to edit but cannot change title.

I'm just kidding around with you. Multiple times I have written a title with "there" when I meant "their" and noticed the mistake seconds later and it's too late.

It's all good. Just joking around

 

[Ocean Lotion]

If the sump is a proflex model I would look for something else. Most reefers pass on the bio balls. Can be waste traps. If your sand is not 5 years old or older just put everything from your smaller tank into your 90 along with rodi water that is the same alk, CA and mag and it will be fine. That includes your rock and any filter media you use. Done it many times. Just maybe feed light for the first month.

 

[Lisa Cain]

I'm just kidding around with you. Multiple times I have written a title with "there" when I meant "their" and noticed the mistake seconds later and it's too late.

It's all good. Just joking around

I smiled, it did not bother me. I am thankful to you.

 

[Lisa Cain]

If the sump is a proflex model I would look for something else. Most reefers pass on the bio balls. Can be waste traps. If your sand is not 5 years old or older just put everything from your smaller tank into your 90 along with rodi water that is the same alk, CA and mag and it will be fine. That includes your rock and any filter media you use. Done it many times. Just maybe feed light for the first month.

So you do a direct transfer? Directly from old tank to new without waiting to cycle?

 

[Ocean Lotion]

Correct. Temperature must be the same too. Also since the water will be a little different acclimate the fish and corals like they are moving form one tank to a different tank. Your bacteria that is supporting your current bioload will move with your rock and sand. If you have any thing else in your system that supports bacteria like the large sponge in a sump move that with it.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Correct. Temperature must be the same too. Also since the water will be a little different acclimate the fish and corals like they are moving form one tank to a different tank. Your bacteria that is supporting your current bioload will move with your rock and sand. If you have any thing else in your system that supports bacteria like the large sponge in a sump move that with it.

My current tank is a 32 gallon all in one biocube. Thanks for the advice. Going from 32 gallon to 90 gallon.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

I have a 30 long. My new 90 is in my garage. Will do my upgrade this winter. Let me know about your setup and any words of wisdom you gater from your upgrade.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

First congrats on the upgrade and we hope to see pictures. When you do this transfer there are a few things you should do. First definitely scrap and do not use the bio balls, you will have a nitrate nightmare as they will collect waste. If your only running softies it may work but I would not risk it. If your running sps and lps I would never run bio balls on any tank. Now with me stating that, from the research I have done and analyzed that’s my personal opinion. There are sooo many ways to do things now, nothing is really super wrong but I have seen way way more problems using them then then I have with out them.

Second if you move your rock and sand over I highly suggest that you rinse your sand in (fresh new saltwater and also rinse the rock with fresh new salt water). You want the bacteria but not all the other nasties that maybe there. Plus moving the sand the way it is could cause a mini cycle and other problems. You will have to add more sand and live rock etc. So this way it will make your sand look nice and pretty again.

As far as lights go, wow it will always be a debate on what’s good and bad etc. What you must understand is, first this is your tank. Everyone here has great advice on lights but every tank will look and be doffferent even if you run that light. How the tank will look is entirely up to you. In addition realize that just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s better. View lots of lights and know what you want so that your happy and don’t have to do it twice.

Third, I went from a 125 to a 240 and used all the same rock and sand etc. I do not suggest you put your coral or fish in there right away. My tank went through a full cycle and I housed my crittters at my lfs. It is possible but I don’t recommend it, your adding 66% more rock and sand, your 33% can not hold down tank down if the rest cycles.

I would also maybe take a day and set the new one up first, then water test it. After that passes and you have all the rock sand, and water, I’d move your critters or house them elsewhere. This way now you can rinse your rock and sand, and don’t have to rush anything. If you rush this process, it could end very badly which none of us want. If you have more questions by all means ask away.

Sincerely
Sarah

 

[Lisa Cain]

Dear Sarah, Thank You!!!! I appreciate your advice. I will keep everyone posted and take plenty of picture. I love the hobby and I have simply grown out of the biocube. My critters need room. I m so excited. I simply want to provide the best conditions for them.

 

[Lisa Cain]

I have a 30 long. My new 90 is in my garage. Will do my upgrade this winter. Let me know about your setup and any words of wisdom you gater from your upgrade.

Sure I will be happy to share. I will take pictures at every step and let you know what works.

 

[Scubapro13]

I just switched from a 30 gallon to 220 last week and so far no issues. I did start with clean dry rock though. Have a custom bloom starting so I'm watching closely. I did new sand and all new water. The 40lbs of live rock I had is close to 3 years old

Lighting for this tank in trying sb reef lighting. Heard a lot of good things on the lights for the price. I also im going to run some retro t5 to supplement leds

 

[Scubapro13]

My lighting