Upgrading logistics?

melypr1985 · May 22, 2015

Hi all! Not a newbie but I am new to upgrading an already established tank. I currently have a 40g that I LOVE. The problem? I want more fish and corals and everything! MORE MORE MORE! The story of a reefers life right? Well I have a line on a 75g with all the equipment from a friend. So on to my question...Logistics... how do I accomplish this without killing my livestock?
I want to put the new tank exactly where my old one is. I guess I would put all the livestock in buckets of water with air stones or powerheads moving the water right? Then move the old tank and put up the new one. Do I need all new sand? Can I just add new sand to the old sand? The new tank should go through a cycle right? What do I do with my livestock while this happens? How long can I leave them in the buckets while I set up the new tank? Will they survive if I put them in the new tank right away? I'm really worried about this transition and would welcome any input/ help in this. Thanks!

Reefing Madness · May 22, 2015

You don't need new sand, but you should rinse the old sand out really well, using a bucket, rinse until the water runs through clear.
Get a tote from Walmart, cheap, and put your fish in it, this is bigger, and should have the room for all your guys and rocks.
Using the exsisting rock, your tank will mini cycle, and it will be short lived, more times than not its like 3 days, and doesn't harm anyone. You can add new sand with the old, it won't make any difference, as your going to rinse the old out. This is improtant because that sand houses alot of crap, that will surely be a major problem to your new set up.