Transferring to a different tank.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 17, 2016

We are forced to transfer our current setup to a different tank because of a pending seal failure. The new tank will be across the room of the existing tank. Time is of the essences because of the pending seal failure.

redfishbluefish · Mar 17, 2016

So what do you need to know? I can only suggest to have extra water prepared. Otherwise I'll wait for the questions. If need be, run straps around the tank if it's a seal failure that you're anticipating.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 17, 2016

I have read disturbing the sand bed during a move can cause a pretty caustic release of stuff in the water colum.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 17, 2016

By the way it's the bottom seal I've got a lot of salt creep between the trim the tank is about 20 years old.

redfishbluefish · Mar 17, 2016

I would not recommend taking or disturbing the sand bed during the move. If you wish, the rock, water, fish, etc, can be moved over, and the sand then removed and totally rinsed clean....and then reused. Otherwise, use new sand.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 17, 2016

Ok what if I remove the sand first and and set up a magnum with charcoal and heavy airreation.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 17, 2016

In a different container

Robink · Mar 18, 2016

I would get new sand and not disturb the old sand at all. Transfer all the water and rock, top off with new water and add new sand.
Just a waste of time trying to clean old sand. You should have plenty of bacteria in your rock and the new sand will have beneficial bacteria as well.
Clean start.

Brian Lijewski · Mar 18, 2016

Sand recommendations

Robink · Mar 18, 2016

Or no sand at all, bare bottom.

Robink · Mar 18, 2016

live sand, I'll be setting up a new tank soon and transferring everything from the 75 gallon. I'm going to get the Fiji Pink. you can get it from bulk reef supply probably a little cheaper than lfs. check around.

Lowstorm · Mar 18, 2016

I would also move everything but the sand. Drain the water first into big garbage cans, or tubs, or whatever. Plop the rocks and corals and such, then draaaag them across the room to the new tank. Set everything up just perfect (maybe have a tub of old water, and swish out the gunk from the old rocks before placement) with a mix of old and new water. Sump? Move that over at the same time and re-set-up before placing the stuff into the new tank. Worry about what to do with the sand after everything else is in the new tank. Then read up pros and cons of reusing sand.

I love my marcorocks sand. Really fine, so it'd cause a storm in a tank that would last a few days though.

jamie callard · Mar 18, 2016

how much sand do you have. it may be ok to take your top layer and add it to the new tank. if you have a dsb it would be bad to try and move the whole thing over.