Questions on how to transition to a larger tank

[willbache]

Hey guys! I am fairly new to saltwater. I currently have a 45 g tank that has been running for about a year now. It is far from the best set-up and was a cheap introduction that honestly, I should have done more research on before getting. It is just running a cheap canister filter. I did upgrade the lighting, add in a protein skimmer, and added a UV sterilizer as I learned more about the hobby. That said I have a 2 clownfish and 2 damsels along with various inverts and some Zoas, Palys, and Mushrooms. I recently had a 125g with a 40g sump fall into my lap. It came with quite a few upgrades over what I currently have, but I need to start it from the ground up. I have about 100 pounds of dry rock, and I want to bring over the 50 pounds of live rock I currently have in my 45g (obviously after cycling). That said, I thought about throwing in some of the filter media and live rock from the current tank to the sump of the new tank to help speed up the cycle and maybe help add biodiversity and skip some of the uglies. Is that a terrible idea? I just want to get a good transition so my corals and fish move over happily. I'm in no rush to get the 45g broken down, I just want everything looking nice on the new tank.

 

[BR260354]

Check out my Tank Thread - I did an upgrade a few months ago. I followed a transfer method that I have linked in there as well. Worked out well for me. Good luck.

Tip - go as big as you can on the next tank!!

 

[stewy14]

Hey guys! I am fairly new to saltwater. I currently have a 45 g tank that has been running for about a year now. It is far from the best set-up and was a cheap introduction that honestly, I should have done more research on before getting. It is just running a cheap canister filter. I did upgrade the lighting, add in a protein skimmer, and added a UV sterilizer as I learned more about the hobby. That said I have a 2 clownfish and 2 damsels along with various inverts and some Zoas, Palys, and Mushrooms. I recently had a 125g with a 40g sump fall into my lap. It came with quite a few upgrades over what I currently have, but I need to start it from the ground up. I have about 100 pounds of dry rock, and I want to bring over the 50 pounds of live rock I currently have in my 45g (obviously after cycling). That said, I thought about throwing in some of the filter media and live rock from the current tank to the sump of the new tank to help speed up the cycle and maybe help add biodiversity and skip some of the uglies. Is that a terrible idea? I just want to get a good transition so my corals and fish move over happily. I'm in no rush to get the 45g broken down, I just want everything looking nice on the new tank.

sooo
that sounds like a plan
but you might still need to cycle, to get the bacteria to the sand and onto the glass and in the filter, the uglies will still happen. live rock is a plan.
but here's a thread for u!

Transferring Corals to new tank? - Reef Central Online Community

Transferring Corals to new tank? Reef Discussion

www.reefcentral.com

 

[willbache]

sooo
that sounds like a plan
but you might still need to cycle, to get the bacteria to the sand and onto the glass and in the filter, the uglies will still happen. live rock is a plan.
but here's a thread for u!

Transferring Corals to new tank? - Reef Central Online Community

Transferring Corals to new tank? Reef Discussion

www.reefcentral.com

Oh yes, I absolutely planned on having to run a full cycle before adding anything, I just figured seeding it with current media would help. I came from freshwater planted tanks and had seeded a number of them with media, but just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing anything dumb by attempting it with a reef. Thank you for the link as well. I plan to do more reading through it once I get off.

 

[willbache]

Check out my Tank Thread - I did an upgrade a few months ago. I followed a transfer method that I have linked in there as well. Worked out well for me. Good luck.

Tip - go as big as you can on the next tank!!

Thank you! And I absolutely, agree on the size tip. I was looking for something a bit larger, but this one literally fell in my lap on a swap from a freshwater planted tank I had and I wound up with a nice tank, stand, sump, octo-skimmer, AI Prime lights, hydros, and a mastertronic. Couldn't say no at that point!

 

[exnisstech]

I would bring over as much live rock as you can. It will speed things up and could help lessen or even prevent the uglies. I started this tank last march. It was all dry rock with barebottom and I never really went through the uglies.

Live rock is the shizzle

This is the tank in the background of the first image. It too was started all dry rock barebottom a bit over a year and a half ago . Instead of a bunch of live rock I add some trays of live rock rubble. Never went through an an ugly phase.

IMO anthing live you can bring over is going give you a head start.

 

[willbache]

I would bring over as much live rock as you can. It will speed things up and could help lessen or even prevent the uglies. I started this tank last march. It was all dry rock with barebottom and I never really went through the uglies.

Live rock is the shizzle

This is the tank in the background of the first image. It too was started all dry rock barebottom a bit over a year and a half ago . Instead of a bunch of live rock I add some trays of live rock rubble. Never went through an an ugly phase.

IMO anthing live you can bring over is going give you a head start.

Beautiful tank. Thank you! How much live rock would be too much to pull from my current system? I wouldn't want to crash it trying to get ahead on a new tank. I do have a 2 inch sand layer on the current system as well, so I would assume that would provide a good bit of bacteria there still. I can separate my softies from all but 2 rocks in my current tank, so moving it would be no issue.

 

[JayM]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain all you need to do is fill the new tank, match salinity & temp, then transfer everything from the old tank. Your bioload isn't increasing, so the beneficial bacteria that's already established won't be taxed too hard.

 

[stewy14]

Oh yes, I absolutely planned on having to run a full cycle before adding anything, I just figured seeding it with current media would help. I came from freshwater planted tanks and had seeded a number of them with media, but just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing anything dumb by attempting it with a reef. Thank you for the link as well. I plan to do more reading through it once I get off.

yes, seeding does help greatly!
pic of planted PLZZZ I WANT TO SEEE
(im the neighborhood (actually diagnosed) adhd teen, u will see A LOT of me)

 

[stewy14]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain all you need to do is fill the new tank, match salinity & temp, then transfer everything from the old tank. Your bioload isn't increasing, so the beneficial bacteria that's already established won't be taxed too hard.

u can, but I wouldn't recommend for a newbie like him

 

[exnisstech]

I

Beautiful tank. Thank you! How much live rock would be too much to pull from my current system? I wouldn't want to crash it trying to get ahead on a new tank. I do have a 2 inch sand layer on the current system as well, so I would assume that would provide a good bit of bacteria there still. I can separate my softies from all but 2 rocks in my current tank, so moving it would be no issue.

Too be honest I'm not really sure how much needs to be left behind. Not a great answer but better than a wrong one If your putting sand in the new tank I would definatly add a cup or two of your old sand.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain all you need to do is fill the new tank, match salinity & temp, then transfer everything from the old tank. Your bioload isn't increasing, so the beneficial bacteria that's already established won't be taxed too hard.

I've read of this being done successfully. I think many folks like to build a new scape when setting up a new tank. I did, that's the reason I added the LR to the sump.

 

[willbache]

yes, seeding does help greatly!
pic of planted PLZZZ I WANT TO SEEE
(im the neighborhood (actually diagnosed) adhd teen, u will see A LOT of me)

I will have to see if I can find any older pics. I actually traded my last planted tank (plants, livestock, delivery, and set-up included) for the new tank. So i am out of freshwater altogether now. I was just a bit bored as I had to where it was basically zero maintenance and I was looking for a new challenge!

 

[willbache]

I will have to see if I can find any older pics. I actually traded my last planted tank (plants, livestock, delivery, and set-up included) for the new tank. So i am out of freshwater altogether now. I was just a bit bored as I had to where it was basically zero maintenance and I was looking for a new challenge!

Not a great pic, and definitely overgrown. The C02 had it growing like crazy between trims. Only pic I could find right off.

 

[00W]

I went from an established 29 gallon to a 75.
Got 75 matched to salinity and temp.
Pulled everything from the 29 and dumped it all into the 75.
Took me about an hour.
You're not doing anything but taking one tank and making it bigger.
Same ecosystem, same bacteria. Same.

Bare bottom makes it nice.
Along the way I've added more live rock I've gotten off craigslist from someone breaking down a tank.
I've never used dry rock (couple tiny pieces sure).
If you want sand get it into the big tank fill with matched water, let it settle for a day and go for it.
All you need is a friend/spouse/kid, towels mop and buckets.
Good luck keep us updated.
This tanks been going almost 10 years.
Never had any uglies.