Upgrading tank cycle?

Misha · Feb 13, 2020

My almost 1 year old nano tank is 15 gallons. I can buy a bigger 50 gallon “shallow” reef (15 sump 35 display) second hand for 600€ including an ai hydra 26 hd.
My question is: I will be adding more RR Rock do I need to cycle the rock? I don’t have the space to run both tanks next to each other.

Spare time · Feb 13, 2020

If you simply move over your rock and bio media you are fine. You may end up with some typical new problems with new sand (even if its live) such as a little bit of diatoms or what not. However, its a good idea to add some microbacter7 or similar products when you move everything over.

ps I think shallow reefs are pretty cool

Amantijt · Feb 13, 2020

i recently upgraded from a 40gal petco tank to a second hand 80gal shallow with sump and i moved handfuls of sandbed all water and rock added more rock and had zero issues. had a mini cycle and everythings back to normal with no losses.

W1ngz · Feb 13, 2020

As long as you keep your rock submerged, I don't think you'll have an issue. I upgraded my old 75 to a 90 square last summer and never once found a hint of ammonia with my Seneye monitor. Each rock was removed as the water level dropped in the tank, and placed in a 5gal storage bin filled with tank water.

The key is keeping the bioload (# of fish) and live rock constant for a while as things settle down from being disturbed and the sand replaced. I replaced the sand and added a few pieces of dry rock along with all of the old rock, but I didn't add any new fish for 30 days after the tank swap.