Switching tanks due to crack in tank

[Reeferburns]

Hi, my tank cracked a little bit and I’m scared that one day it might just burst. I’ve had this saltwater tank going for 5 years now. Im wondering if I go out and buy a new tank can I transfer all the water, live rock and sand over to the new tank plus my fish and corals without cycling the new tank or when I’m transferring everything will it create an ammonia spike in the new tank and kill everything? I’ve got Xenia, Nem, star polyp, two shrimp and two clowns.

 

[Bossman]

I've upgraded to larger tanks and did the move without cycling. This included the live rock, fish and coral. The sand I tossed and replaced. Though some rinse the sand and reuse.

The beneficial bacteria is attached to the hard surfaces in your tank. Do you have a decent amount of live rock in your tank now? Placing that in the new tank will transfer that bacteria.

It wouldn't hurt to add some Dr Tims or Fritz bacteria when you do the switch.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I would transfer the water and rock, but use new sand. Moving the sand over would be the BIG risk. Sand tends to trap a lot of nasty and trying to move it and reuse, will likely not end well. If you tranfer the rock and livestock, without adding more livestock right away, you will be fine and should not have a cycle.

 

[lapin]

You are prob safe. I would make new water. Remove fish and coral/rock first, before disturbing the sand bed. You will stir up a bunch of gunk moving rocks. I would rinse the sand if you are going to try and reuse it.

 

[Reeferburns]

I've upgraded to larger tanks and did the move without cycling. This included the live rock, fish and coral. The sand I tossed and replaced. Though some rinse the sand and reuse.

The beneficial bacteria is attached to the hard surfaces in your tank. Do you have a decent amount of live rock in your tank now? Placing that in the new tank will transfer that bacteria.

It wouldn't hurt to add some Dr Tims or Fritz bacteria when you do the switch.

It’s only a 29 gallon and I have probably 50lbs of live rock. Honestly it was to much for the tank but I never took any out. Thank you for a fast reply!

 

[Reeferburns]

You are prob safe. I would make new water. Remove fish and coral/rock first, before disturbing the sand bed. You will stir up a bunch of gunk moving rocks. I would rinse the sand if you are going to try and reuse it.

I think I’ll just buy new sand and use everything else. Also I’m going to be switching all my filtration over to the new tank. That will be okay right?

 

[Bossman]

You can use all of your existing equipment. Might be a good time to clean pumps etc.

Your tank will look great getting a reboot!

 

[JoshO]

You could definitely switch it all over with minimal issues! As long as you fully rinse the sand bed until the water runs totally clear!

 

[legrunt]

Just rinse out the sand and reuse it. No need to get new sand.

 

[Tl02022020]

I would get new sand. I tried the rinsing and re-using trick with sand once and it caused an ammonia spike. For a 29, that's not a huge amount of new sand to buy.