Tank Transfer

[Ramses0314]

So the other day, one of my tanks was leaking from a side pannel and I had to get a replacement. I transferred the sand and rock to the new tank but I went from a 20 gal to a 40 gallon breeder so I got some dry rock to be seeded by my rock and more live sand. I transfered my two clownfish, BTA, orchid dottyback and skunk shrimp. The transfer went bad and the two clownfish died. The anemone closed up for a few days but now is opening back to its usual shape as the tank became more stable. However, the color changed a lot. The Glowing effect under blue lights has been reduced greatly and it has turned into a deeper brown/maroon color, Which I am unsure of what it means. From what Ive read, a white/bleaching color is a sign of bad health but it’s actually doing the opposite, getting darker. Its not melting either, which Ive read it happens as they die. The dottyback and shrimp seem to be doing fine so far, hopefully I don‘t jinx myself but I am concerned that the BTA might die and kill everyone in the process.

 

[Taylor t]

Transferring can be tricky. Moving a sand bed is dangerous. There’s layers of bacteria colonies that get disturbed in sand beds, they are not like rock, and when you move sand beds, expect cycles that can last months. Moving rock has its own challenges. The stuff that used to get light, when a rock is turned upside down, will also have die off that lasts. Skim wet to help.

 

[Taylor t]

I’ve found, it’s best to add rock that’s been cooked in a garbage can for months in saltwater kept dark. Let the die off happen separate from the tank. Then add to your established tank. You will still experience cycles, but they aren’t as deadly. Best to add sand, new sand, in small increments, over time, to established tank. Cycles happen, but try to keep the deadly type of cycles at a min by adding stuff with no growth, slowly.