upgrading tanks advice

[Lanman08]

hey guys- i currently have a 44 gal corner hex tank that I am upgrading to a 75 gal. the hex tank has one fish in it with about 30 lbs live rock a few frags and sand. i plan to use the same light from the 44 on the 75.

what would be the best way to transfer the tank without having an ammonia spike and the least amount of stress impact on my fish/coral? will stirring up the sand etc and transferring it all at once not cause an ammonia spike?

THanks!

[DDon]

How long has the 44 been up? More than likely you will get a spike when you move the sand bed if it has any age to it at all. I would recommend just replacing the sand instead if trying to move.

[Lanman08]

How long has the 44 been up? More than likely you will get a spike when you move the sand bed if it has any age to it at all. I would recommend just replacing the sand instead if trying to move.

about 2 months now.

[Lanman08]

if i buy live sand in the bag at the store, wont i go through a spike anyways?

[DDon]

If only 2 months old you shouldn't have much that accumulated in the sand bed and don't think you should have any problems. You can give it a rinse in fresh saltwater if you like. I made an assumption it was older.
Since you are moving to a larger tank you may be adding additional sand. No need to buy live sand as dry sand will work just as well and is cheaper. Just rinse it well.

[Lanman08]

will this cause an ammonia spike? should i move my fish to a seperate tank while i do this? I would like to be able to add them to the new tank as soon as possible

[DDon]

Shouldn't cause an ammonia spike. I have done the same without any issues

[Lanman08]

would it be wise to move the fish into another holding tank? I dont want to stress him out. Thnkas

[DDon]

That would be fine to do. Not sure how long you would plan on leaving him in there but make sure you don't end up with an ammonia spike in the holding tank since it isn't cycled (I'm assuming)

Is your new tank going in the same spot as your current 44? If in different spot you have the option of getting the new tank up and running before doing the transfer.

[Lanman08]

its going in the same spot. thanks for your help. im hoping to get this started/going tonight when i pick the tank up!:rollface:

[Lanman08]

i actually had an ich problem in my old tank. do you think completely replacing the live sand with bagged live sand from the LFS will help eliminate this in my new tank?

[DDon]

I don't believe it will as the tomonts may be encysted on the live rock as well. Moving tanks is a great time to take care of the ich but it takes time and some effort to do. I would personally recommend it but your choice.

If you decide not to and just go ahead and transfer tank you will need some temp containers such as Rubbermaid tubs to hold stuff while you do the move. Also give yourself plenty of time to get everything done or you may be up all night getting things set up. You can drain most of the water into the temp containers, pull the rock and place in the tubs with the water. It is not a bad idea to have a bucket of saltwater to swish the rocks around in before putting in the tubs to remove as much crud as possible. Catch the fish when you can and put in the tub with water. It always takes longer than you expect so have a heater in the tub as well as something for water movement to keep it oxygenated. Pull the sand and rinse in saltwater if you are reusing. Discard the little bit of water left in the tank as it will most likely be pretty nasty at this point. Have plenty of fresh saltwater made up. Tear the old tank down and set up the new and you are on your way. If adding additional rock and sand have it ready to go. Make sure you have everything you need to get the new tank up. Nothing like realizing late in the night you forgot something.

I have had to move tanks multiple times and it can be a little stressful but fun also.

[Lanman08]

I don't believe it will as the tomonts may be encysted on the live rock as well. Moving tanks is a great time to take care of the ich but it takes time and some effort to do. I would personally recommend it but your choice.

If you decide not to and just go ahead and transfer tank you will need some temp containers such as Rubbermaid tubs to hold stuff while you do the move. Also give yourself plenty of time to get everything done or you may be up all night getting things set up. You can drain most of the water into the temp containers, pull the rock and place in the tubs with the water. It is not a bad idea to have a bucket of saltwater to swish the rocks around in before putting in the tubs to remove as much crud as possible. Catch the fish when you can and put in the tub with water. It always takes longer than you expect so have a heater in the tub as well as something for water movement to keep it oxygenated. Pull the sand and rinse in saltwater if you are reusing. Discard the little bit of water left in the tank as it will most likely be pretty nasty at this point. Have plenty of fresh saltwater made up. Tear the old tank down and set up the new and you are on your way. If adding additional rock and sand have it ready to go. Make sure you have everything you need to get the new tank up. Nothing like realizing late in the night you forgot something.

I have had to move tanks multiple times and it can be a little stressful but fun also.


Thanks for all of your help!!! I appreciate it

[Lanman08]

do you think i should replace the sand to help prevent the ich from transferring or is that basically a waste?

[DDon]

I really don't see how that will do anything. The parasite is most likely on the fish and the ecysted stage will be on the rocks as well as the sand.

[Lanman08]

Just finished the sswitch!

[kendrid]

do you think i should replace the sand to help prevent the ich from transferring or is that basically a waste?

You must go dormant to eliminate the ich. Check out the ich thread in the disease forum.

Nice looking stand. It goes well with the flooring.

[DDon]

Looks nice