Switching over - picking up a 72g Bow

Mattie-KCCO · Nov 17, 2015

So I've been doing research upon research to start a Reef. Currently have 3 established freshwater displays. I found a local individual selling there 72g Bow front with Corner overflow and sump. Well needless to say I'll be moving it to my house this Friday. It's an established tank with a few corals and 2 fish.

So need some tips with moving the tank -
Do you keep sand and water? Or start with new?

Can I change around the scape they currently have set or should I leave as is?

Also I'll be trying to document the process as I go so I have something to look back at. Here is a picture of the tank taken by me (left and right sides -power head on back glass is center roughly.) And a full tank shot(unknown date photo taken by current owner).

Open to any advice or suggestions. Thanks Matt

melypr1985 · Nov 17, 2015

Ditch the sand and use all new live sand. You'll probably need to take all the rock and water out as well put into buckets for transport. I would use all new water and make sure to acclimate your fish to it before introduction into the tank. I tell ya, if it were me? I'd sell some of those rocks with mushrooms and buy a couple new pieces of live rock so you have some room for new corals.

Mattie-KCCO · Nov 18, 2015

Thanks for the input. Have plenty of buckets for transporting. And am currently making a batch of RO/DI water to mix up with salt for arrival. Yea I planned on selling some of the mushrooms to make room for other corals. But for now I'll probably wait.

Anyone else?

pondman · Nov 19, 2015

Yea I would ditch the sand seems that once you disturb it it unlocks alot of nasty stuff you could keep a couple cups to seed the new sand.I myself would keep the water and reuse unless the nitrate is crazy high.I moved two 29 gallon tanks to a 125 I transfered the old water to new tank with no problems. Bucket all your rock and keep submerged don't let it dry out.good luck in your new tank.

Mattie-KCCO · Nov 19, 2015

Okay - I've got 40lbs of new live sand. Is this enough or should I get more? I plan on getting a Goby/Shrimp pair - not sure if they need deeper sand bed or not.

Have RO water still going (will have 30 gallons ready).

I was given the suggestion to add Bio-Spira to the tank once I get it set back up. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

NanaReefer · Nov 20, 2015

Been there!!! Ugh!!

Triggreef · Nov 20, 2015

Make new water. Don't use any of the old water it is pointless. Check alk and Ca in new water and in a sample (collected prior to dismantling the tank) and try to get the levels to match up in your new mix. I'd have some type of alk and ca additive on hand. It might be a bit over board after looking again at the livestock in there, but surely if there were more delicate corals than what you have there then you should do that.

Minimize the time any of the live rock is out of water to minimize any bacterial loss. As others said DO NOT use old sand for sure. Any cleaning done to the tank in between should only be rinsing with fresh water and you don't need to go crazy with it.

I like to line the bottom of the tank with eggcrate just in case rocks fall as you set up or even if tank occupants cause an avalanche later it could save your tank. Provides a nice sturdy platform to keep rock from moving as you set up.

Lastly aside from everything that is currently in there, I would not add livestock for a month or so at least. This will give some time for the new tank to establish and be sure that the whole transfer went off without a problem. Adding more bio load right away could potentially cause a total loss of the system.

And bio-spira is good. It won't hurt. Welcome to r2r!

Triggreef · Nov 20, 2015

I like these 72g bow fronts I have one for my QT currently and another I'm going to be selling after I refinish the stand.

Mattie-KCCO · Nov 20, 2015

Water debate varies I've noticed. Ha. Planned on checking parameters so I could match.

Plan to transport live rock in totes with current water. Same with corals.

I like the eggcrate idea. Probably steal that.

Thank you for the advice. Looking forward to this venture. Been wanting a reef for awhile.

Mattie-KCCO · Nov 22, 2015

Okay. Got the tank moved over on Friday and set back up. One of the bulkheads cracked so was without sump for a day. Bulkhead fixed and sump running. Haven't started the protein skimmer yet. Tank and inhabitants seem to be doing well.

Quick question in regard to flow. Return comes is pumping across the back wall from left to right. I have two power heads (Hydor 850gph) on each side. Interval of 15 minutes. Is this appropriate - should I increase or decrease time?

Also the overflow line is that vacuum like hose bending in an S. Is this okay or should it be straighter? This is how is was run by previous owner.

Attached are pictures of current layout and sump. Any suggestions?

Dr. Phil · Nov 23, 2015

As far as the return and powerheads go, hopefully someone with a little more knowledge on the Hydors can chime in. Just my opinion, but I would try to get the drain line as straight as possible. It is probably not necessary if it is draining ok, but that would drive me crazy...

And... Welcome to R2R!

Edit: Changed return to drain, to clarify.