Opinion Please

NaClH2O_StL · Nov 15, 2011

I recently found a crack in the bridge of my 46g bowfront. I have decide to upscale a bit and go to a 55g. I have gotten mixed opinions on whether or not I can just transfer everything over to the new tank without a spike in ammonia. Is it safe or not?

I have 2 starfish, 2 clowns, hippo tang as the fishes and mostly mushroom corals along with about 50-65lbs of live rock.

Another opinion was that i could put rock, fish and corals in a sand-less temporary 30g aquarium and wait for the new tank to cycle. could i just circulate this tank with a couple of circulating pumps?

PLEASE HELP.

Thanks,
Jim

aquabull · Nov 15, 2011

The deeper your sand bed the more likely it is to dump a nitrogen bomb on your parade. If you vigorously deep gravel siphon, the risk is reduced...

i would suggest well aerated, day old new water, and a new sand bed. (mostly)
Abusively rinse your new sand and place it in the new tank. Place a heavy pyrex bowl in the bottom of the new tank (this will deter the cloudiness.) Fill the new tank with as much of the old water as possible (pour it in the bowl!), without disturbing either sand bed. Add rock and specimens as well. Scoop about a quarter to a half inch of old sand off the surface of the bed. Place it in a plastic bag, slowly fill it with water( in the new tank), and sink it to the bottom where it can be gingerly spread over the new sand (to reduce cloudiness). Then, add equipment, and use airline tubing to drip in (full stream) your well mixed new water to top the new tank off. i swear, doing it is easier than me hen-pecking; trying to type this!

cdness · Nov 15, 2011

It';s only 11G of new water... Depending on how long the 46 has been up you may want to get new sand or rinse it REALLY well...

I am going from a 75 to 125 here soon and I will not be doing a full cycle since I have all established stuff in the 75.