Tank swap help

Fishfinder · May 19, 2018

I will be transferring my tank into an upgrade this weekend. I need advice on moving my corals. They have to be removed, placed in a temporary container, then transferred into the new tank. What is the best method for removing my encrusted corals from the rocks? When they go into the temp bin or when they leave the temp bin and go into the new display?
#reefsquad

Also check out the madness going down in my build thread,
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-finder-325-gallon-peninsula-build.330327/page-4

Diesel · May 19, 2018

Try not to remove them from the rocks.

Fishfinder · May 19, 2018

@Diesel that is the ultimate goal but it will be unavoidable in most situations. This swap really has me nervous. I've finally got acros figured out and growing good. Going to put them through a lot of stress. I'm just trying to get done without killing everything.

Do you have any specific advice?

Fred Phipps · May 19, 2018

Unavoidable how?

Fishfinder · May 19, 2018

Every rock with an acro on it won't end up in the same spot that it was in. The rock scape will be different

DSC reef · May 19, 2018

If there's some That have to be removed we can always cut the rock, I've had to do that before as a last case scenario.

Sarah24! · May 19, 2018

Why don’t you just hire your lfs to do the transfer for you? They can probably get pretty close to the same design, and have enough equipment to keep everything safe. I may have to do the same thing and going from a 240 to a 400, will only cost 600. That’s so worth the cost of that well to me it is lol.

Fishfinder · May 19, 2018

This is a little more elaborate than just swapping tanks. It's a whole room reconstruct

Diesel · May 19, 2018

It's hard to do a short term swap with no loses.
SPS are sensitive for that.
I had many tanks but never put a SPS in there till about 6 months after the complete cycle.
It all depends from what size you are upgrading to the 325G.
For one thing I believe a tank needs to be fully cycled and not in a weeks time as it will bring stress on the corals.

Diesel · May 19, 2018

Sarah24! said:
Why don’t you just hire your lfs to do the transfer for you? They can probably get pretty close to the same design, and have enough equipment to keep everything safe. I may have to do the same thing and going from a 240 to a 400, will only cost 600. That’s so worth the cost of that well to me it is lol.

Smart girl!

Fishfinder · May 19, 2018

I will be using the same rocks, I can use the same water if you think that will be benificial.

It is going from a 200

Diesel · May 19, 2018

From a 200 to 325 you still going to have a cycle and any cycle is a instability which is a key factor for SPS, stability.

Sarah24! · May 19, 2018

Diesel said:
It's hard to do a short term swap with no loses.
SPS are sensitive for that.
I had many tanks but never put a SPS in there till about 6 months after the complete cycle.
It all depends from what size you are upgrading to the 325G.
For one thing I believe a tank needs to be fully cycled and not in a weeks time as it will bring stress on the corals.

I totally agree with Diesel, which is why I mentioned the lfs. They can use your old water and sand, and set a temp tank up for you at their store. They then set up your new one in your house and it cycles for 8 weeks. As you slowly transfer the coral in and fish with sps last, it’s one of the better ways to not lose stuff. I can’t say how much your lfs would do this for, but mine to move my tank and temp one for me would be 600 dollars. Plus I don’t have to do all the insane work that comes into play. Plus with that size, I’m going from a 240 to a 400, they said they will have four to five people helping them. Time is of the essence in these moves, and it’s how one can lose everything during a move.

Fishfinder · May 20, 2018

Alright then. LFS isn't an option. So I'll be giving it my best

DSC reef · May 20, 2018

There's no LFS that can do better than we can in the area. With the amount of rock you already have I wouldn't be to concerened @Fishfinder. We got this!

Fishfinder · May 20, 2018

Thanks man. I'm just concerned that there will be too much instability. I might set up a light rack and keep everything in the tubs for a week. Get a skimmer running and let it soak. Come over whenever you want Sunday. I'm trying to have everything ready and stand built when everyone gets there at 3

Dburr1014 · May 21, 2018

I honestly don't believe you will have a cycle, and if you do, it will be short lived (1 day, 2 tops). I have done this many times. (switching tanks) and never lost a coral because of it.
Drain most of water into new vessels, move rocks over, put sand in bucket. Swap tanks, add sand, add some old water, add rocks /coral, top off with rest of old water and new water.
Coral will handle it, they are tougher than we think when doing a move like this. Your using old sand and rock and that is what will prevent the cycle.
Take your time, good luck.

Daryl.Norton · May 22, 2018

I will be doing the same in a few weeks time so keen to see what everyone says. My main worry is sensitive tangs going into a new tank. My corals are mostly softies so no issues there.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Fishfinder · May 22, 2018

You can see the results good or bad in my build thread.

Dragon52 · May 22, 2018

When I switched from my 120 to 185gl I went to Tractor supply & bought a 100gal hard plastic Tub, put some of the rocks & most of the water in it, then transferred fish & corals to it some of which were on rocks & didn't lose anything. Did the same thing when I switched from Black sand to white only losing my Melanarus Wrasse & I think that was because I couldn't get him out of the sand until most of the water was out so I blame that on me. i only had maybe 6 corals at the time so I don't think I had the same issue your looking at