Upgrading to a bigger tank

[Emarley]

Hello fellow reefers,

In the process of getting all my equipment together to upgrade from a fluval evo 13.5 to a 40g. Currently in the evo I have live rock (this will be moving into the new tank minus one piece that has Kenya tree growing on it that I can't seem to remove) but in the new tank I will be adding life rock so as not to get any unwanted hitchhiker's.

What's the best way to move everything from one tank to the other?
Do I,
A: Cycle the new tank before adding live rock, corals, inverts and fish from old tank.
B: Move everything at the same time I set new tank up.

Any hints, tips or suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Dom

 

[James M]

Cycle the new tank and then add everything over is your best bet

 

[PirateDan]

If you’re putting only what came from your old tank just switch over. That’s what I did. Tank was going in same spot. I would use new sand though.

 

[brandon429]

agreed, you aren't adding new bioload so the current rock alone handles what you have. use new sand, and pre rinse it in tap water fully clean before using. last rinse is in saltwater to evacuate the tap.

set up the tank with the life rock and it just sits there maturing as you enjoy the skip cycle system. those rocks have nitrifiers already included in their build, they need only hydration and time to catch up. liferock does not leak ammonia, so you can just add it to your system.

 

[Aquavaj]

You don't have to cycle since you're reusing the majority of your old rock. Reuse your old water too. This will keep up with the current bioload. Just dont add any new fish for 2 weeks or so.

 

[ZoWhat]

I always heard using 50% used water and 50% new water.

But using 10g to supply a 40g I think would be advantageous since the 10g already has good bacteria

Only reason I wouldnt use the 10g water is if you had a GHA problem or smthg pesty with spores



.

 

[Emarley]

I always heard using 50% used water and 50% new water.

But using 10g to supply a 40g I think would be advantageous since the 10g already has good bacteria

Only reason I wouldnt use the 10g water is if you had a GHA problem or smthg pesty with spores



.

Currently suffering with GHA that I’m trying to combat

 

[brandon429]

that would be easy to fix, as in about 48 hours worth. that particular type of invasion, and locus, makes killing that algae independent of the water params very easy to do in fact. no need for that tank to have algae unless its wanted. if its not wanted, 48 hours no algae. just kill it vs starve it.

 

[Emarley]

that would be easy to fix, as in about 48 hours worth. that particular type of invasion, and locus, makes killing that algae independent of the water params very easy to do in fact. no need for that tank to have algae unless its wanted. if its not wanted, 48 hours no algae. just kill it vs starve it.

Sorry I’m only still a newbie to marine and don’t understand your post, how do I get rid of this algae?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Making the move is a great opportunity for some cleaning also.

When I did it I would get buckets of salt water and set it up as a cleaning station. I put a small pump and hose in the bucket and use it as a water jet to hose off some of the detris. First the rocks on by one, blast off as much as you can. No reason to bring xtra nitrate sources with you into the new tank. I would say same with the sand. No reason to spend money and waste sand unless you don’t like it. if you are taking the rock why not sand. Whatever uglies are in the sand are in the rock. But use that same tank water to rinse the sand. Rinse in small batches until water is clear. Basically clean sand also.

 

[brandon429]

ill send a message real quick on the process