Upgrading 10G to 20G..need advice

[Reef_Obsessed]

Hey all! I have a 10 Gallon nano that has been up and running for 1 1/2 - 2 years now and I wanted to upgrade for a few reasons.

1) I have an old 20 gallon sitting around with nothing in it, so I said, what the heck

2) My 10G is loaded with expanding coral and I think they need some more room. I only have a bonded pair of chocolate clowns in there, along with a clean up crew.

So, this is what I have in mind, right now...all advice is welcome and I do have a question at the bottom of the page...

I have 10 lbs of live rock in my 10G right now and I already bought another 7.5 lbs of dry dead rock to add to the 20. I am also saving, at least 10 gallons of old water from my water changes and adding that to 10 gallons of fresh. I bought a bottle of Dr. Tim's Nitrifying Live Bacteria to add to the 20, as well (It can't hurt, right?). I do not plan to add any more fish...maybe just some additional clean-up crew members.

My question is about the sand...Do I use the old sand and wash it out or add completely new sand? If using new sand, should I use live or dry? (I'm trying to do everything I can to avoid a cycle.

 

[hig789]

As long as you wash the old sand really well there shouldn't be a problem. I did it with my 90, just make sure the water runs clear before you consider it clean.

Would storing old water with nutrients in it cause problems?

 

[Cment]

Go with completely new sand, it doesn't have to "live" the bacteria from your rock will seed it.

 

[Reef_a_holiks]

When i swap tanks, i reuse the sand, liverocks and most of the tank water i can into the new tank, even if that means mixing it with new sand and new live rock. This will speed up the cycle. I also dose macrobacter7 for the first 14 days. After the third day of the new tank being setup i introduce one fish, usually a clown fish. on the 14th day and the last dose of macrobacter7 i transfer everything over, coral, fish, etc. i feel cycling is over rated unless your starting a tank with dead rock, dead sand, new water as then I recommend a full cycle period of a few months. Never had any coral or fish die or stress out doing this process, but of course check water parameters along the way.

As far as Dr. Tims bacteria, ive never used it, although i have good stuff about it. For bacteria ive always used stability or macrobacter7.

congrats and good luck on your upgrade.

 

[thehammer1985]

I must recommend new sand I reuse the live rock (I just made a big move with 3 tanks) . But the sand can harvest alot of nasty hydrogen sulfide and cause unwanted levels to spike. It may not harm anything so I wouldn't dog you for it if you tried and washed it clean . But I'm just putting in my 2 cents that you probably have a couple hundred in livestock why risk it for 25-45 in sand

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Would storing old water with nutrients in it cause problems?

Not sure about this! I have it in a bucket with a powerhead to keep circulation and have checked parameters during this time. I have not noticed any unusual swings of any kind. I do run carbon in my tanks to keep out impurities, as well.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Thanks all for your replies! So, it looks like a 50/50 with washing old or buying new, lol! I think I'm leaning towards washing and adding some fresh live with it that I have left over.

 

[Jizu Puentes]

I say new sand. Carib sea has a really good sand and i have never had a mini cycle while using it. Stir a little of our sand in your current tank and notice the cloudy water that happens because of that stir. You could rinse it but unless you use saltwater you'd be killing organisms in the sand anyway.

 

[hig789]

Like I said above I have reused sand in prior tanks but if I upgraded my nano now I'd go with new sand. It's pretty cheap. Personally I wouldn't bother with the "live" sand. Just get some regular sand and your established rock will seed it.

 

[Tahoe61]

For a tank nano tank older than a year why would you risk your investment and not buy new sand? Sure it will probably be fine, and I would keep a cup of the established sand, but new sand for a 20 gallon seems like a no brainier to me.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Ok, I've made up my mind...I'm getting new sand, lol! Is there a specific 'regular' sand that anyone suggests? I want the clean white look!

 

[Harold Green]

Once upon a time most hobbyists relied on the sand to provide buffering and calcium but today with all the additives few hobbyists consider the sand as much more that an area to grow bacteria and some even go with a bare bottom without issues. Personally I tend to reuse the same sand over and over with some of it approaching 40 years in my tanks. I wash it thoroughly and then reuse it. Never had a problem with it and see little reason to spend additional on something that I already have. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Ok, so I went out and bought some Carib Sea dry Aragonite Aragamax-select sand...nearly 1/2 the price of live sand....thank you all for the advice! I considered all that everyone said!

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

So, I got my upgrade done! Added new dry sand and a few dead base rocks to go with the live. So far, so good! No losses...fish happy, no hiding, and coral all opening already. No signs of any new cycle. I'll post some pics, but keep in mind...I am not an aquascaping master, lol! My first saltwater attempt began about 2 years ago and this is my first upgrade. Thanks to all who provided advice! BEFORE

AFTER