Upgrading tank question

saldayz · Sep 6, 2020

I currently have a 10g tank and i noticed its got a crack in it. i have a spare 30g tank so i've decided to set it up in case of emergency.
What is the best process of doing this? (if my current one starts leaking i don't want to put my fish in the 30g if it's not cycled properly)
I only have dry rock and sand.

Thank you.

laverda · Sep 7, 2020

Do a water change on you 10 and and use the water on your new tank. it will start to populate the new rock and sand with bacteria. A cup of San from your other tank will help also. Put a pinch of food in every other day or so. When you need to move everything move your rock to the new tank, as well as some more of your old water. Then move your fish and corals. You should not have much of a cycle this way as long as you don’t add a bunch more fish right away.

saldayz · Sep 7, 2020

laverda said:
Do a water change on you 10 and and use the water on your new tank. it will start to populate the new rock and sand with bacteria. A cup of San from your other tank will help also. Put a pinch of food in every other day or so. When you need to move everything move your rock to the new tank, as well as some more of your old water. Then move your fish and corals. You should not have much of a cycle this way as long as you don’t add a bunch more fish right away.

Thanks - thats very helpful! Since i will have been adding food to the tank, would it be ok to do a quick water change and siphon before adding my fish? (I'd replace that water with some of the water from my current 10g)

laverda · Sep 8, 2020

PTXReef · Sep 8, 2020

A friend of mine was in that exact situation. He decided to place the smaller tank straight into that larger system and just added more water. It was messy but at least everything lived, and were rather happy with such a large water change

+1 on @laverda ’s suggestion!

I’ma tempermental coral · Sep 8, 2020

All great paths to making sure things go smoothly! Even your friends @PTXReef... unorthodox maybe, but effective! Hahaha. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a bottle of dr. Tim’s one and only or turbostart on hand ready and waiting. Even if it isn’t needed adding it while it just before you transfer things is good for insurance and peace of mind.