SPS and Plumbing 2 tanks together

[Michael Llabona]

I have a 90 established mixed reef. Mostly small SPS frags and small colonies. I just bought a 72 bow front and want to plumb them together. I will need to move my 90 when I do this. How should I attack this

My thoughts:
I can run the 72 bow in the new location independently and cycle it. It will have a very light bio load. Will use about 20-30 gal from 90 to start it.

3 months later or so... When it's fairly stable. I will try and match parameters as close as possible.

I will then move my 90g and plumb them together. Plumbing will be done before hand.

I figured this would be the best plan of action.

Do you guys think this will be too much stress on the sps? I figured long term it would be better

 

[ihavecrabs]

It can be done. I did it with a 120g and a 60g with a shared sump.

I used live rock from my 120g to seed the new dry rock (which I had cured for months prior) and slowly mixed the water together after matching all major parameters.

People can get into trouble when they add dry rock or live rock that has had die off into an existing SPS tank due to spikes in PO4. I would recommend to carefully manage that parameter.

 

[Michael Llabona]

It can be done. I did it with a 120g and a 60g with a shared sump.

I used live rock from my 120g to seed the new dry rock (which I had cured for months prior) and slowly mixed the water together after matching all major parameters.

People can get into trouble when they add dry rock or live rock that has had die off into an existing SPS tank due to spikes in PO4. I would recommend to carefully manage that parameter.

Thanks, I will for sure seed the new rock and let it cure. I don't plan on using any dead rock (pukani, fiji, etc) in the new tank. I will likely use brs reef saver. The new tank will be a nem and clownfish tank.