Upgrading to 210g! Need help!

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Hey guys, I have a few questions for you all. I'm thinking if upgrading to a 7ft tank(210g) from my 90g in the near future and was wondering:

1. What skimmer do you recommend?

2. Can I use the sand that I have in my 90g now? Would I have to clean it if I do?

3. How should I go about moving all livestock into the new tank

4. Do I transfer the same water that's in the old tank into the new one?

This is the first time I do a move so lmk if there's anything else I need to know

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

I would use new sand. Set up the 210 use all new water. Put in some base rock or whatever you will be using and some of the rock from the 90. Leave room for the rest of the rock from the 90 and let the 210 run it's cycle. Once the cycle is over finish moving the rock over drain the 90 down enough to catch fish easier to switch tanks.

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Why not move all the rock over at once?

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Won't that let it cycle quicker?

Btw sorry for the double post but idk how to edit on my phone. Feel free to merge

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

To keep the fish from getting stressed and to keep good bacteria in the tank while waiting for the 210 to cycle. Might take a week maybe more maybe less. When I upgraded from my 55 to 210 that's how I did it and I had no losses.

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Ok now one problem I foresee is that a lot if my sps's have encrusted onto the rock. Would I have to frag them off of the rock? Because then they would be on the rock that's in the unicycled 210

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

and by what youre telling me, i would have 2 systems running at the same time? I mean becausei dont have 2 chillers and all the pumps necessary for that lol

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

When you set up the rockwork in the 210 arrange it so the coral encrusted rock can be placed on top or wherever you choose and just leave the coral in the 90 untill the 210 is ready. You can always change the rockwork around even after the 210 is cycled. Or just put all rock that has no coral in the tank and fill it up let it cycle don't worry about aranging the rock as you will have to change it up for the coral encrusted rock anyways. Once the tank is cycled pull the rock from the 210 out and put it in bins and keep it damp. Arrange the rockwork as you would like it and add the coral encrusted rock from the 90 at that time. Just make sure parameters and temp match. The 2nd way may be the easiest.

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

Yes you would be running both tanks. What temp does the 90 run if you don't use the chiller? Might be possible that you won't need a chiller on the 210. I had to run a heater when I had mine.

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

Is it a dual overflow or single? If dual maybe hook up just one pump and have the pump running and have the other side also plumbed but without the pump, then add a powerhead to the other side. This way there will at least be flow and both tanks should be able to run.

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

the 90g runs at about 79-80 with no chiller bt the temp fluctuation is what killed me before the chiller.

im not sure yt how many overflows it will have but how about physically movn the 210 to the spot where the 90g is now? how did you move the tanks around when you had them both running?

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

79-80 isn't much of a fluctuation. When I changed tanks they were both on different walls so I lucked out there. Maybe move the 90 out far enough to get the 210 behind it. I'm bout out of ideas lol.

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Lol I know thanks for the help man

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Do u recommend any skimmers for that size tank?

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

I didn't run a skimmer on mine but I wouldn't recommend a Marineland or Coralvue. The Marineland was junk and the Coralvue stops working after a day.

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

I've heard the reef octopus is good?

bigdpro21 · May 18, 2014

Also why do u recommend that I do not use the old sand?

TrialandError · May 18, 2014

There are all sorts of nasty things trapped in the sand. If you are going to be leaving the fish and corals in the 90 while it cycles you could release bad stuff that could kill everything in the 90. You could probably put aragonite on the bottom as it is cheaper then put live sand on top of it if cost is a factor.