Upgrading...Need Opinions

shibbyplustax · Nov 7, 2013

Ok so after about 6 months into the reefing hobby I can officially say i am hooked. Already regretting not going bigger with my first tank so i think it is time for a much needed upgrade. Currently i have a JBJ nanocube 24 with three small fish, a pistol shrimp and many many frags. I found a good deal on a 60g deep blue rimless cube and a really nice custom king sump so i am going to jump on that and pick it up this friday. Another wrench thrown into the mix is that i am in the process of moving to a new apartment....so that might actually make the upgrading process a little easier. My tank is still at my old place while i get everything in my new place set up and ready. So here is my first of many set of questions.

How would you guys handle this upgrade/ transfer process?

I was thinking of getting the new tank over to my new place, getting everything set up and partially fill it, giving it a few days/ a week to mini cycle, maybe throw in a few pieces of LR and then when everything is ready to go, empty my current tank 2/3 into a ryubbermaid and transfer the water/ inhabitants right to the new tank. does this seem safe?

russo36 · Nov 7, 2013

If your current tank is so small.... Why don't u just empty it half way and carefully transfer it over w the help of a friend. Set it back up at your new place and when your new tank is fully cycled u can start transferring over the live stock little by little. It would be like doing a 50% water change. If you want u can even use the small tank to quarantine your fish.... Hope this helps.

oscarinw · Nov 7, 2013

I would lay a dry sand bed , fill it with 35 gallons the day before the move and then transfer everything to the new tank. First the sand via PVC piping, then the rock, then the livestock. Matched salinity and temperature. Wait a couple of days and start adding dry rock until the appropriate amount is reached. You should not see a cycle.

shibbyplustax · Nov 7, 2013

Thanks for the replies. what do you mean when you say transfer the sand via pvc piping? how do you do that?

SeahorseKeeper · Nov 7, 2013

Get a piece of PVC long enough to reach the bottom of the tank. Use a funnel to pour the sand into the PVC and it will reduce (not eliminate) the sandstorm effect.