Tank transfer questions

rayn · Mar 3, 2015

Working on a upgrade or transfer from a 125 to a 180. I would like to reuse some or most of the rock in the 125. However rather then just stacking the rock I want to build it into pillars and have it look nice.

How long can the fish go without the full amount of rock? Can they go with no rock and just use the sand for the bio filter? I am sure by the time I drill and mount the rock there will be some die off, so a mini cycle will ensue. I plan to help it along, but not sure how far to push it.

cdangel0 · Mar 3, 2015

There's really no simple answer to this - too many variables - but I'll share my ideas:

First - I would recommend NOT reusing the sand from the 125 unless you currently keep a very shallow sand bed. anything deeper than 2" will trap some serious nastiness that will be released once the anaerobic pockets are disturbed.

I would suggest fresh sand, and seeding it with SOME of your existing live sand. Add a few pieces of the rock to help with the bio-filtration while you build the pillars. Yes, expect a cycle as you'll likely have some level of die off from the rock, so try not to add it all back in at one time, space it out over a couple of days.

The fish should be ok with some fresh live sand and a few pieces of rock to colonize the active bacteria, just don't over feed until you're back to full rock and finished your mini-cycle.

rayn · Mar 3, 2015

Okay, a little clarification and questions.

Clarification.
I am not reusing any of the old sand. I can use a cup or so to seed. I have two bags of "live" sand I can add.

Question.
Are you saying move a few pieces of rock and fish now, then slowly add the other rock as I build the pillars? Or leave fish in current tank and some rock as I build the pillars?

And thanks for the help!

cdangel0 · Mar 3, 2015

My assumption is the new tank is going where the current tank sits. If so then add the fish and some of the rock with the new sand now and move the rock pillars as they're built, just try not to add them all at once.

If I'm mistaken and the new tanks can be set up prior to the existing tank being torn down then leave the fish where they're at until the new tank is completely set up and all rock transferred. If this is the case then all of the rock can be moved in to the new tank at the same time.

The fish will be fine in the existing tank with the current sand and just a few pieces of rock for hiding, sleeping, bacterial filtration.