Transferring tanks

TryingToLearn · Nov 15, 2015

Ok I have a 20 gallon tank with 35 Lbs of live rock, 2 clowns, blue damsel, and a pink bubble tip. I have a 40 gallon breed that I am mixing my salt for right now Tha currently has 10 Lbs of rock in it and powerheads 300w light 75 gallon hob filter and I am planning on transferring my clowns and a majority of the rock from the 20 gallon into the 40. I am wondering if the clowns will be ok to immediately put in the new tank once I get my salinity correct considering I'm putting everything from a tank that is around 8 months old in the new 40?

saltyphish · Nov 15, 2015

Depends on the condition of the new rock you added to the tank. If it has a lot of die of then that could cause a problem with ammonia. Using the 35lbs of existing rock assuming it is well cycled would definitely help establish your tank quicker. Are you using the old sand as well or new? I personally would not reuse sand. If you use only the established liverock with some of the old tank water I believe you would be ok. While the existing tank water will not help much with establishing bacteria it would help the BTA adapt to the newer tank instead of tossing it in freshly made salt water. If you do use some existing water I would use a filter sock to help filter it.

TryingToLearn · Nov 15, 2015

The new rock is dry rock and the other has been in my 20 gallon for 8 months now. And 30 pounds of new sand is in the 40 now that's suppose to keep ph balanced in a saltwater aquarium and tomorrow my 20 Lbs of nature ocean bio active black sand will be here and I will be adding it