Quick Question About Upgrading To a Larger Tank

[Growingreefer]

Just wanted some thoughts from everyone if possible.

Currently have a 30 gallon biocube, fully stocked with fish and coral.

I have a 180 gallon that I am upgrading to that I built an HNSA Aquascape with dry rock and put arag alive sand in.

My question is, I have all the rock from the bicube that I am going to transfer over with attached coral. Will it be ok day one because of the rock from bicube that already handles bio load or should I cycle all the dry rock first, then add rock, fish and coral.

I have no plans to add additional fish for quite some time.

 

[Dbichler]

Yes you will be fine as long as you don’t increase the bioload. I would add more bacteria just to be safe though. Also make sure parameters are as close as possible also.

 

[G Santana]

I would transfer the rock and fish and then add additional nitrifying bacteria to help with the transition

 

[Nate Chalk]

I did something very similar 90 to 180, no sand though. Used all media and rock from old tank and dumped it right in. Even used the water.

 

[Blue Cheese]

Without adding new fish for quite some time it will be hard to sustain a bio load for your bacteria,you’ll struggle with uglies, prepare for that scenario

 

[Nate Chalk]

Without adding new fish for quite some time it will be hard to sustain a bio load for your bacteria,you’ll struggle with uglies, prepare for that scenario

Good point I did go through uglies again. You can dose neo nitrate!

I've been dosing


I have 4 more tank mates coming for a total of 10 now.

My 90 had 3 fish total

 

[Blue Cheese]

Good point I did go through uglies again. You can dose neo nitrate!

I've been dosing


I have 4 more tank mates coming for a total of 10 now.

My 90 had 3 fish total

Yeah,I have a very small bio load in a 250 gal,speaking from experience I wasn’t prepared for it,if I was it would of been a lot easier

 

[Growingreefer]

Yes you will be fine as long as you don’t increase the bioload. I would add more bacteria just to be safe though. Also make sure parameters are as close as possible also.

Ok awesome, I figured as much but I have never added that much new rock and sand before. I did add a bottle of doctor tims as well so I should be good to go!

 

[Growingreefer]

Without adding new fish for quite some time it will be hard to sustain a bio load for your bacteria,you’ll struggle with uglies, prepare for that scenario

Uglies I can deal with, I just was afraid to lose livestock. That I do not want to do!