Reef tank transfer for SPS questions

[ScottR]

So I’m setting up a 132g tank. It’s been salty for 2 weeks. I added some live rock and MB7. Also some TM bacteria. I added in some chromis which are doing great. Tank is cloudy from a bacterial bloom most likely. I have a 40 gallon that has been going for over a year and a half which has lots of SPS. SPS are very finicky in new unestablished tanks. I’m worried about moving things over; mostly afraid they’ll perish immediately.

I’ve added 4 pieces of live rock, some media and water from my 40 gallon. So far the tank doesn’t even look ready. But I need to break down the 40 in a couple of weeks.

My question is: any advice?

You can also check out my measly build thread.

 

[uhgster1]

I’ve had luck transferring SPS from tank to tank by leaving them on the rock they were encrusted on. Are yours on frag racks? Maybe you could take some of the rock from the new tank and put it in the old tank for a bit until you have to break it down. That should give you at least some of the micro fauna from the old tank that they’re used to and increase your chances of success.

 

[ScottR]

I’ve had luck transferring SPS from tank to tank by leaving them on the rock they were encrusted on. Are yours on frag racks? Maybe you could take some of the rock from the new tank and put it in the old tank for a bit until you have to break it down. That should give you at least some of the micro fauna from the old tank that they’re used to and increase your chances of success.

I’ll basically be transferring them from the rock they’re on. Most are encrusted on the rock so I have no choice unless I break them off.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I would transfer all rock and a bunch of water. Leave the corals on there rock or plugs. If you have sand I would clean that sand well before putting it in the new tank. I’d do this by rinsing with old saltwater in a bucket. You should be ok. Post some pics when done.

 

[ScottR]

I would transfer all rock and a bunch of water. Leave the corals on there rock or plugs. If you have sand I would clean that sand well before putting it in the new tank. I’d do this by rinsing with old saltwater in a bucket. You should be ok. Post some pics when done.

I’m BB in the 40. Idea is basically what you said. All rock is going over. Should I try to match PO4/NO3 levels? Or just let Mother Nature take her course? I’m .25 PO4 and maybe 10 NO3 in the 40. It’s high but things still grow and look happy.

 

[dwest]

Scott, your plan is good. I wouldn’t worry too much about nitrate and phosphate level. Have you considered leaving the 40 up for a while and transferring your favorites by fragging them?

 

[uhgster1]

I’m BB in the 40. Idea is basically what you said. All rock is going over. Should I try to match PO4/NO3 levels? Or just let Mother Nature take her course? I’m .25 PO4 and maybe 10 NO3 in the 40. It’s high but things still grow and look happy.

If everything is happy at those levels then don’t sweat it. Honestly the the only thing that I would worry about more would be the fish than the coral in the new tank.

 

[ScottR]

Scott, your plan is good. I wouldn’t worry too much about nitrate and phosphate level. Have you considered leaving the 40 up for a while and transferring your favorites by fragging them?

I’m selling the tank and all the equipment to someone that wants it. But I’m trying to stretch the timing out as to let the new tank mature. My 40 was built from an older tank as well. Lots of media and older corals. Lots of random things growing in it as you’d expect with mature tanks. I look at my new tank and it just looks so clean and smells like fresh saltwater.

 

[ScottR]

If everything is happy at those levels then don’t sweat it. Honestly the the only thing that I would worry about more would be the fish than the coral in the new tank.

Haha. Fish are so cheap and corals are expensive where I live. I’d prefer not to kill anything of course but the corals are my primary thing. Thanks for your comments.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I would keep carbon running at least in bags in the new tank and make sure it’s fish are being fed and processing nutrients correctly before the corals go in. Also would be worried about the bacteria bloom and get that under control before adding the corals. Sounds like you have a short timeframe to get things right which is scary but I wouldn’t worry about specific nutrient levels either as long as their not rising uncontrollably. Using the bacteria in a bottle should maybe help while corals are being introduced. As long as it’s just a few chromis and they have been fed in the tank for 4 weeks I would think it would be doable but I think the actual transfer is key. Meaning don’t let the rock and water sit stagnant for long and just get everything in the tank as quick as you can, coral positioning can always wait. Seems like things always happen so just be prepared and keep an close eye on the corals once they go in. Any rtn that pops up should be cut out ASAP to keep it from spreading. I hope your going to use the same light that was on it previously because that would be my only other concern. Keeping everything the same as it was is going to be your best bet. Good luck!

 

[ScottR]

I would keep carbon running at least in bags in the new tank and make sure it’s fish are being fed and processing nutrients correctly before the corals go in. Also would be worried about the bacteria bloom and get that under control before adding the corals. Sounds like you have a short timeframe to get things right which is scary but I wouldn’t worry about specific nutrient levels either as long as their not rising uncontrollably. Using the bacteria in a bottle should maybe help while corals are being introduced. As long as it’s just a few chromis and they have been fed in the tank for 4 weeks I would think it would be doable but I think the actual transfer is key. Meaning don’t let the rock and water sit stagnant for long and just get everything in the tank as quick as you can, coral positioning can always wait. Seems like things always happen so just be prepared and keep an close eye on the corals once they go in. Any rtn that pops up should be cut out ASAP to keep it from spreading. I hope your going to use the same light that was on it previously because that would be my only other concern. Keeping everything the same as it was is going to be your best bet. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your post. Have been following you here for a couple years or so. I’m switching from a maxspect R420R which worries me. Starting off with an Orphek V4 which is a bigger light but I have access to a PAR meter.

Again, appreciate your post bro.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I would think since the new tank will be led too you can make it work. I am sure there some people who have ran the fixtures before that can help if you need it but I would guess as long as par is the same it will be ok.
Myself though I would use the same fixture until I knew the acros were doing ok in the new tank and then I would switch. But i will let the led users guide you through that if you need any help along the way. Led fixtures are not my strong point that’s for sure. I do love the look of the orpeks though, gotta be one of my favorite fixtures.