Upgraded tank rockwork

[tidefanjam]

I’m in the process of upgrading my 65 to a 120, I’ll be moving most of my existing rock and corals into the new tank, plus building a lot of new aquascape, I’ll be using dry rock to build the additional scape, and new dry sand. My question is should I build the new aquascape in my new 120 and let it cycle before adding my existing rocks and corals, or cure the dry rock in a brute, then put it all in at the same time, or just put it all in at the same time?

 

[benscorals]

You shouldn’t need to cure the rock because you are adding all of the rock from the old tank that has all the beneficial bacteria on it already. Just don’t add any extra fish (other than the ones that are in your tank already) to the new tank right away otherwise it might overwhelm your bacteria and increase the level of toxic ammonia.

 

[tidefanjam]

That’s what I was thinking, it’s tricky picturing how I want my new scape to meld with my existing rocks and corals..

 

[benscorals]

You could also just restart with all new rocks and then create a whole new scape and then after it is all cycled cut the corals off the old rocks to add to the new tank. Either way works. The second option will take longer but you will get what you want.

 

[benscorals]

Personally I would restart if I didn’t think it would be to my liking.

 

[Jax15]

I would def keep your original rocks unless you had some really tricky pests before. I recently added more dry rock to my existing scape and had them running in really low SG salt water in a brute beforehand. No more than 3-4 weeks with a powerhead keeping the water moving. It just makes sure they get a good soak, and anything that may leech out (even if only dust, etc) will get trapped in the brute can water before moving to your display. Then you can add your new rock and old rock/corals at the same time. I had good success with this, plays it a little safe but isn't over the top.

 

[tidefanjam]

Personally I would restart if I didn’t think it would be to my liking.

I think I can use most of my rock and keep it to my liking, just leaving out a couple of rocks that are covered with leathers that I don’t want in my new tank

 

[tidefanjam]

I would def keep your original rocks unless you had some really tricky pests before. I recently added more dry rock to my existing scape and had them running in really low SG salt water in a brute beforehand. No more than 3-4 weeks with a powerhead keeping the water moving. It just makes sure they get a good soak, and anything that may leech out (even if only dust, etc) will get trapped in the brute can water before moving to your display. Then you can add your new rock and old rock/corals at the same time. I had good success with this, plays it a little safe but isn't over the top.

This is probably the direction I’m going, I have some aptasia but my filefish keeps it in check.

 

[benscorals]

That’s a great idea- hope the tank swap works out well

 

[tidefanjam]

Swap done, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out, I have 2 rocks left in my old tank that I didn’t wanna put in my new tank, one covered in ricordea, and one covered in blushing leather, also a medium sized birdsnest colony.