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Johnnyredd · May 16, 2014

We have a 55. It has a few crabs and snails, cleaner shrimp, two clowns, their carpet, a hatian and a 6 line Wrasse. There is some Xenia, zoas, and two leathers also growing.

We are hopefully picking up our 125 this weekend.

Any advice on how to transition? We were planning to use the sand and rock from the 55 and just add new rock and sand to it but I need to know what to be prepared for cycle or mini cycle wise.

I do have a 10 that I can set some stuff up in (clowns and carpet) and hold the rest in the 180 if necessary.

No great rush, we will be a few weeks setting the 125 up, getting a sump and skimmer, etc. I just want to be prepared and planned before we make the move.

Mike J. · May 16, 2014

I'd suggest using new sand in your new tank and just using a cup or two of your old sand to seed it. Is the tank going in the same place as the 55?

Johnnyredd · May 16, 2014

Should/could I wash the sand (what we did with the 180) or just start fresh?

Yes, the 125 will occupy the same space the 55 is in now.

I can move the 55 with it still relatively intact if needed. Drain 2/3rd to 3/4th of the water and move it into another room. Use that water to start off the 125.

So many ideas but don't know if any are good.

Mike J. · May 16, 2014

I've moved a 55 a couple of times. Drained some of the water and put four big moving sliders under it and just pushed it. I guess that would depend on what type of floor. I'm a fan of keeping as much water as possible. You can clean the sand. I'd feel better if I had a new tank positively cycled before putting livestock in it.

joekidwell · May 16, 2014

I moved my tank at the beginning of the year, four totes of rock, water and fish, moved really fast and all was fine. If you do this as soon as the last rock and water comes out don't take a break, start the rebuild with the 120 immediately.

Johnnyredd · May 16, 2014

Cycle.

That's where my lack of understanding is. If I have half "cured" rock sand and water will the 125 cycle. Do I need to do a 50% water change on the 55 and move the sand and rock out of it into the 125 with half the water, keep the 55 running until after the 125 cycles?

Did that make sense?

Pete polyp · May 16, 2014

Why would it cycle if you're putting established rock from your old tank in it? If you're going to add new rock to it then you can always cure it out in a trash can. In November I moved my 29. I bagged the corals, threw all the rock in a cooler and buckets with tank water. I drained out as much water as I could, leaving about 1/8" above the sandbed. I covered the sand with saran wrap so it wouldn't stir it up. The entire process took about 4 hours. With your situation it will probably take less time. I agree with using new sand with this situation. The old sand can be used, but stirring it up can cause problems. If you're simply transferring a completely cycled 55 to a larger home then there should be no additional cycle. If you're still concerned then don't feed your tank for a few days, and maybe twice a week for the first couple weeks.

Johnnyredd · May 16, 2014

Is half the rock enough to prevent a cycle? The 55 has been running for a year.

As long as the new rock and sand will just begin curing and there will be no negative impact from 50 pounds of uncured rock, new sand and 50 or so gallons of new water... That's the concern!

Pete polyp · May 16, 2014

Johnnyredd said:
Is half the rock enough to prevent a cycle? The 55 has been running for a year.

As long as the new rock and sand will just begin curing and there will be no negative impact from 50 pounds of uncured rock, new sand and 50 or so gallons of new water... That's the concern!

Of course there will be an impact odd throwing in 50lbs of uncured rock if its live rock. There will be lots of die off from the uncured rock. If its clean base rock then that will change and probably not be notable at all.

Your tank is a year old and has more than likely established a biosystem in equilibrium of the bioload. If you move half of it into the new tank then you're only moving half the biosystem. If you move the entire system into the new tank with all livestock you essentially have the exact same system in a bigger box.

Personally I would cure any new rock in a plastic container like a brute trash can, or plastic storage bin. Put a powerhead and a heater in there, feed it a little bit and in a month or so it will be fully cured. Just check ammonia, nitrite and nitrate just as you do a cycling tank.

With the water.... Using the water from your old tank will make no difference in the biosystem. It will make a difference in chemistry and help out to not stress your corals and livestock.