tank swap questions

[tippytango]

I'm trying to understand the best way to do a tank swap.. questions I have are:

Transfer old sand to new tank or buy new sand?
Is the new tank considered "cycled" upon transfer of my current established rock?
Should I removed my bubble tip anemones before transferring their rock? or move them with their rock?
I allow green hair algae to grow in my back chamber as I believe it helps my water... Should I try to transfer some of that to the back chamber of my new tank?

ANY tank swap advice much appreciated!

I really don't want to hurt my anemones and clowns...

Thank you!

 

[phillybean]

When I did my tank swap (going quite a bit bigger), I used new sand (dry) and re-used as much water as I could. The new water was matched for salinity and temp. I didn't lose anything, although a few pieces were upset for a week or so. I did not experience any cycle at all., but to be on the safe side, I did used MB7 for a week after the swap.

 

[mdb_talon]

Lots of different opinions, but personally i would not reuse sand unless it is just a matter of cost. In that case i would rinse the heck out of it first.

As for rock if you switch it over without minimal time out of water it should generally prevent you from having a true cycle. You might see some nutrient spikes or some "uglies" in areas due to some dieoff because new areas of rick might now be exposed to light, etc.

I would move the nems with the rocks rather than taking them off and then moving separately. They may decide to move on their own and find the perfect flow/light situation, but that is less stressful than peeling them off and then moving them.

 

[glency]

Lots of info here.

Official Sand Rinse and Tank Transfer thread

If you are reading this thread to cure a tank invasion from a link I sent you, we do not need to identify your type of invasion here we do not need you to test anything at anytime regarding nitrate, phosphate etc Above all, we do not need to see a microscope slide picture of your invasion at...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[MnFish1]

Agree with everyone else.

When I have done this, the key is
1. New sand.
2. use at least some (50%)? Old water
3. Make sure the rock, etc etc - have good flow, aeration, heating, as they did in the tank.
4. I also did a water change the night before - just so that the tank inhabitants were used to the new water (I'm assuming that you're moving from a smaller to a larger tank)
5. Do it as quickly as possible. - Try to keep your filtration running if you can - during the transfer.
6. Assuming you're putting the new tank where the old one was - I completely set up the new tank with filtration, etc NEXT to the old one - before doing anything (obviously didn't put water in the new tank).

Good luck!! I'm sure it will go well!

 

[EricR]

What's the volume of your current tank and new tank?

If not too massive a tank capacity jump and you're using all of your existing rock, you should be good -- keep the rock wet as mentioned, ideally in tubs/buckets with old or new saltwater.

I agree with others on "rinse your sand well", whether you use your old sand or buy new.