Will Progress be lost if I switch tanks?

[greetl01]

I’ve had my tank up about 6 months and I recently bout a waterbox20. I’ve just started getting the lime green green algae that comes after diatoms and I’d hate to lose 6 months of progress. Does tank maturity transfer with the rocks or the tank?

 

[MaxTremors]

For the most part, yes. If you setup the new tank, and just move your rocks and sand over to the new tank, you shouldn’t have to cycle again. Keep all of the rocks and sand wet (submerged preferably, and at the same temp), and try to get them in the new tank as quickly as possible. I would probably add some bottled bacteria just to be on the safe side (though it’s most likely not needed), but you should be fine. You might find that the ‘ugly’ stages reset a little bit, but as far as nitrification, you will be fine.

 

[Jekyl]

If you transfer your rock no cycle is needed and you don't lose progress. May want to switch sand or at least rinse it. Research before making a decision. No bacteria or other chemicals needed.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

U can use some of the water if it makes u feeo warm and fuzzy but yes i agree the rock and sand are gonna be the biggest factors. No cycle. U will have an instant tank. Lol.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

U might exp a small diatom bloom if anything.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I did a tank transfer , same rocks , new sand and new water, I had another ugly phase that lasted about 2 weeks , I had to scrape all my coraline / the glass so it was free real estate lol but no cycle of any kind , took awhile to even show nitrates (got Dino’s ) but it went away in a week

 

[Bars]

I also did a transfer not too long ago. No new cycle whatsoever, except for a bunch of algae. My tank went from clean to covered in diatoms to covered in a green film algae to partially covered in gha to "clean" in less than 2 weeks.

Just let it do its thing and you'll be fine.

 

[ClownWrangler]

I started a 20 gallon tank with a large live rock a year ago with 5 BTAs attached. The nems were added the day of setup. The nems are still alive and well a year later, so the way I see it, putting that big live rock in there with them was as good as having an established tank.

 

[greetl01]

Thanks. I’m relieved to hear that. My tank has taken longer than usual to mature and I was excited to be close to getting coralline.