Integrating Tanks over Upgrade

[Cidcaltrop]

Hey all,
I've got a 160 gallon system that I've been working on, and will soon be setting up, and I want to move all of my livestock and rock from my 80 gallon system into this new tank. To go about this, should I just use the water from the old system when I first set the new one up, even with new sand, or should I fill the new tank seperately, wait for it to cycle, and then acclimate all the livestock and rock into it?
Greatly appreciated!

[Chris27]

If you have the space, the latter is a better way of proceeding. It will give you time to QT and acclimate everything to ensure the new tank is parasite free.

[crvz]

utilized "used" water doesnt do much in terms of aiding a new setup; beneficial bacteria is not found in the water column but on the surface area of rock and sand. I, too, would recommend following your second approach of setting up the new system independent of the old one.