Did you already have some water in the 75 before adding the water from the buckets? Also did you change your sand?Welcome to R2R!
The way that worked for me when I went from my 40 breeder to my 75 was to get a bunch of storage totes, empty your tank water into them, and then move over your rock and coral, drain the tank down low enough that the fish don't really have anywhere to go and scoop them up with a net and put them in the storage totes. If it's going to take a while you may want to use a powerhead or two in the totes to keep things moving and keep the water oxygenated. My changeover was quick as the new tank was already set up and ready to go. Then when the 75 is ready to fill up, put the rock coral and water back, leave just enough water in the bins for the fish, scoop them up and put them in the new tank
All new sand. I had a few buckets of brand new saltwater made up to make up the difference from the 40 to the 75
The tank will go through mini cycles. When you replace your sandbed and add alot more water volume itll likely happen. Are you adding more rock with the changeover? Something I did to help the tank was to grab a bottle of Bio Spira and dump it in when I did the switch over. Itll help keep the mini cycles to a minimum
I will add more rock at some point. Is it better to add the rock right away or do it gradually over time? So to combat the mini cycles you just have to do water changes more frequently right? I was also thinking about setting up the new tank first. adding the 25 gallon difference and the new sand and just let that cycle for a month or two before making the switch. Could that work as well?
Yeah, thatd work great. Then you can simply go from one tank to the other instead of putting everything in totes. In guessing the new tank is in a different spot then the old?
Yeah it is. I was thinking that would the best to avoid mini cycles. I would let the 20 gallons cycle and then add the water, rock, and fish from my 55.
I have 2 clowns, 6 line wrasse, yellow tang, bristle tooth tang, and three small damsils that I’m getting rid of once i switch tanks. I have about 25-30 small hermits and snails. I also have a small gsp frag. I have about 30Ibs of live rock. I’m not sure exactly on that number, may be more. I have a canister filter on the 55 now. I plan on upgrading to a bigger filter and letting it run on my 55 for before I switch tanks too.I had to stop by also and say #WelcometoR2R
you already got the best advice. Could I add on a few questions? How much rock and fish are you starting with. You may just be able to do a complete transfer with new sand and some rock without the worry of a cycle. Is there any other filters on the tank, and how much rock right now. I may try to do the setup and use an ammonia badge, but only if the circumstances are right and you have the back ups in place..
and let’s see a build thread so we can watch, if you like
