Tank upgrade water ?

[muggle0981]

So was all set up for an aquarium upgrade from a 120 to 180g with my lfs

for what will call just ****** circumstances i am now looking for another lfs to make this upgrade

question, my initial place was going to move existing tank, place new tank and let cycle for 2-3 months before transfering everything over

The new place when they make their upgrades use your existing water mostly and transition everything over to the new tank

is there a better way ti transition to new tank

let new one cycle or just move everything right over?

 

[MarshallB]

If they are going to use your water, sand, rock, and whatever then you wont need to cycle as long as everything is kept wet.

 

[Lasse]

If they are going to use your water, sand, rock, and whatever then you wont need to cycle as long as everything is kept wet.

Yes see it as a rather huge WC - like you take out 33 % from your old system and replace with 33 % new water. do not complicate things.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Yep like others have said just move everything over. The only time you'd need to cycle for a few months would be if your starting the new tank with all new dry rock

 

[Reef.]

Yeah I would just clean the old one as much as possible, under rocks etc to get ready for the move, then you will not be kicking up too much detritus in the move, this will keep any mini cycle to a minimum.

Once set up don’t add new stock until the tank settles, the tank might be bigger now but still the same amount of bacteria until it has time to fill the new tank.

 

[muggle0981]

I would only be adding new sand to tank, live rock would come from existing tank

and not adding any livestock, wife would kill me asking to add livestock right away

 

[muggle0981]

And yes the thought process was its just a really big water change from the new place who would do the uograde work

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I would only be adding new sand to tank, live rock would come from existing tank

and not adding any livestock, wife would kill me asking to add livestock right away

Then your good to go, no need to wait months. What kind of sand are you adding?

 

[Reef.]

I would only be adding new sand to tank, live rock would come from existing tank

and not adding any livestock, wife would kill me asking to add livestock right away

add the old sand too, give it a rinse in rodi water and add, it has loads of bacteria on it you will be throwing away.

 

[muggle0981]

I use carib sea arag live fiji pink sand

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I use carib sea arag live fiji pink sand

That bag of "live" sand that's been sitting on a shelf at the lfs for months is full of dead stuff and will cause ammonia issues....

 

[Reef.]

That bag of "live" sand that's been sitting on a shelf at the lfs for months is full of dead stuff and will cause ammonia issues....

and you can’t rinse it either.

No need for live sand in an established tank, dry will seed in a month, and as you aren’t adding any live stock for a while no rush.

 

[muggle0981]

Ive always used, never have had issues

So whats the best sand the to add

 

[Reef.]

Ive always used, never have had issues

So whats the best sand the to add

the same but dry, you get more for your money too

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Ive always used, never have had issues

So whats the best sand the to add

Live sand is great for a new tank since new tanks need an ammonia source. But that's no good for an established tank. Some of the live rock companies out of florida (kp aquatics maybe) will pull real fresh live sand out of the ocean for you. But you'll be fine with cheap dry sand. Just be sure to rinse the dry sand. Or reuse your old sand after rinsing

 

[Reef.]

Live sand is generally only dry sand with a bottle bacteria added to the bit of water in the bag.

 

[Lasse]

and not adding any livestock, wife would kill me asking to add livestock right away

If your old aquarium working well it is no problem - just take it easy with the food for some weeks. Clean the sand with fresh water but do not clean it completely. As I say before - just see it as a 33% WC. Or will she ask you to take out the livestock if you did a 33 % WC in your old aquarium? Do not complicate things

Sincerely Lasse