dopey
Active Member
Howdy,
I've been running my 37L Nano for about 18 months now, tank thead here. Been talking about a larger tank with my partner for about half a year. Finally started taking action on it (Building the stand, ordering the custom tanks). Build thread for that one is here.
Old tank is 37L, new tank total volume is around 230L with display being 140L. May not be big to many here, but it's a massive increase for us
Instead of making multiple thread, thought a general set of questions about this process. Practically I plan to setup the new tank, and move the current inhabitants to the new tank. The old tank will be cleaned and given to a colleague so he can start in the hobby
The current tank consist of a dozen or so corals, mainly soft corals. One clownsfish, peppermint shrimp, one hermit(Oldest member of the tank!) and some snails.
I will use reefsaver rock again. When I set the nano tank up I did not cure it. I didn't feel this was an issue since it was a new tank with no inhabitants. I used red sea's product for cycling. However trying to move an existing tank to a new/larger tank, that isn't an option.
A few questions..
1.) Is there a best method for doing such a move? In my head, if I used new sand and moved the existing live rock.. In theory, I wouldn't have much issue as the rock should handle the existing bioload.. However I will need *allot* of new rock. Which would likely induce a cycle unless I cure it? The best idea i've had so far, is to set the new tank up with new rock, sand etc and cycle it...but leave space for the existing 37L's life rock. After the cycle move the rock/fish/inverts? When I say rock, I mean a rock. Bad design by me, but it's literally one giant piece of rock in the 37L tank
Another option be to break it apart(how easy is that?) and remount the corals in the new tank after a cycle?
2.) The sump will be 58x38x45cm (23"x15"x18" roughly). Looking at potential skimmers, it seems they will need around 22x14 floor space. Does it seem feasible to fit both a refugium and skimmer in such a sump? What i've read/watched, a refugium seems quite attractive. I've only ever used a 'nano skimmer' on my 37L and I was never impressed. I ultimately removed it, and never noticed a difference. Water changes were the primary method I used on the nano. I'm guessing my experience with a nano skimmer is not a fair comparison to a 'proper' one -- such as deltec 600i?
3.) What do you all read/watch when setting up a new tank? I feel I have a good grasp of husbandry/hobby, but always look to learn more. I've started rewatching the 52 weeks by BRS, and other BRS videos to ensure i'm not overlooking anything. Curious what others recommend/watch themselves It's not everyday you set up a new tank.
4.) First time with a sump.. I'm planning to do hard PVC with a ton of unions? Is this best practice? Basically going off the recommendation in multiple BRS videos
Thanks for any comments!
I've been running my 37L Nano for about 18 months now, tank thead here. Been talking about a larger tank with my partner for about half a year. Finally started taking action on it (Building the stand, ordering the custom tanks). Build thread for that one is here.
Old tank is 37L, new tank total volume is around 230L with display being 140L. May not be big to many here, but it's a massive increase for us
Instead of making multiple thread, thought a general set of questions about this process. Practically I plan to setup the new tank, and move the current inhabitants to the new tank. The old tank will be cleaned and given to a colleague so he can start in the hobby
The current tank consist of a dozen or so corals, mainly soft corals. One clownsfish, peppermint shrimp, one hermit(Oldest member of the tank!) and some snails.
I will use reefsaver rock again. When I set the nano tank up I did not cure it. I didn't feel this was an issue since it was a new tank with no inhabitants. I used red sea's product for cycling. However trying to move an existing tank to a new/larger tank, that isn't an option.
A few questions..
1.) Is there a best method for doing such a move? In my head, if I used new sand and moved the existing live rock.. In theory, I wouldn't have much issue as the rock should handle the existing bioload.. However I will need *allot* of new rock. Which would likely induce a cycle unless I cure it? The best idea i've had so far, is to set the new tank up with new rock, sand etc and cycle it...but leave space for the existing 37L's life rock. After the cycle move the rock/fish/inverts? When I say rock, I mean a rock. Bad design by me, but it's literally one giant piece of rock in the 37L tank
Another option be to break it apart(how easy is that?) and remount the corals in the new tank after a cycle?2.) The sump will be 58x38x45cm (23"x15"x18" roughly). Looking at potential skimmers, it seems they will need around 22x14 floor space. Does it seem feasible to fit both a refugium and skimmer in such a sump? What i've read/watched, a refugium seems quite attractive. I've only ever used a 'nano skimmer' on my 37L and I was never impressed. I ultimately removed it, and never noticed a difference. Water changes were the primary method I used on the nano. I'm guessing my experience with a nano skimmer is not a fair comparison to a 'proper' one -- such as deltec 600i?
3.) What do you all read/watch when setting up a new tank? I feel I have a good grasp of husbandry/hobby, but always look to learn more. I've started rewatching the 52 weeks by BRS, and other BRS videos to ensure i'm not overlooking anything. Curious what others recommend/watch themselves
It's not everyday you set up a new tank.4.) First time with a sump.. I'm planning to do hard PVC with a ton of unions? Is this best practice? Basically going off the recommendation in multiple BRS videos
Thanks for any comments!
