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04/19/2006, 05:05 PM
I've currently got a 125 gallon African cichlid tank, along with my 29 gallon reef tank. I'm considering either turning the big tank into a FOWLR, or possibly moving my 29 gallon reef over to the 125 gallon. So, I 'have a plan' on moving my 29 gallon, and was wondering if it was feasible, or if I should do something different.
First, here's what's in my 29 gallon:
About 40 lbs LR.
About 25-30 lbs aragonite substrate.
15 gallon sump, mag 5 return pump.
Fuge integrated into the sump, with LR rubble and chaeto.
Coralife 65 SuperSkimmer 'in-sump'.
130 watt's PC lighting.
3 additional powerheads in the tank for flow.
About 15 assorted softies and LPS.
False perc, 6-line wrasse, flame angel, bicolor psuedochromis, and lawnmower blennie.
Now, my 'hardware list' for my 125, if I 'go reef':
125 gallon AGA tank, megaflow.
30 gallon sump, mag 7 return pump.
ASM G3 skimmer, in sump.
Separate 10-20 gallon fuge, LR rubble and chaeto.
Closed loop for flow, possible mag24 pump, with a Calfo-style manifold for the returns.
2 powerheads for flow behind the LR.
'Appropriate' lighting. Either T5HO, or MH+PC.
First I'd have to get rid of the cichlids, and then clean the tank well. Hook up all the plumbing and test for NO leaks. Then, the fun part. Moving the 29 reef into the big tank. This is where I question if this is a good way to go about it. My plan:
1 - Mix up and age appropriate amount of salt water for the 125. Parameters will match the 29 gallon parameters. PH, salinity, alk, calcium, etc.
2 - Put about 75 pounds of new aragonite substrate in the big tank, and add the new salt water.
3 - Add around 80 pounds new base rock to big tank.
4 - Move substrate/LR from 29 gallon to the big tank.
5 - Move water, corals, and fish from 29 gallon to big tank.
6 - Move sand, LR, and cheato from the existing sump/fuge to the new fuge.
So, could I do all that in the same day (mix the water ahead of time, though), and be successfull? What could I do differently/better? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!
First, here's what's in my 29 gallon:
About 40 lbs LR.
About 25-30 lbs aragonite substrate.
15 gallon sump, mag 5 return pump.
Fuge integrated into the sump, with LR rubble and chaeto.
Coralife 65 SuperSkimmer 'in-sump'.
130 watt's PC lighting.
3 additional powerheads in the tank for flow.
About 15 assorted softies and LPS.
False perc, 6-line wrasse, flame angel, bicolor psuedochromis, and lawnmower blennie.
Now, my 'hardware list' for my 125, if I 'go reef':
125 gallon AGA tank, megaflow.
30 gallon sump, mag 7 return pump.
ASM G3 skimmer, in sump.
Separate 10-20 gallon fuge, LR rubble and chaeto.
Closed loop for flow, possible mag24 pump, with a Calfo-style manifold for the returns.
2 powerheads for flow behind the LR.
'Appropriate' lighting. Either T5HO, or MH+PC.
First I'd have to get rid of the cichlids, and then clean the tank well. Hook up all the plumbing and test for NO leaks. Then, the fun part. Moving the 29 reef into the big tank. This is where I question if this is a good way to go about it. My plan:
1 - Mix up and age appropriate amount of salt water for the 125. Parameters will match the 29 gallon parameters. PH, salinity, alk, calcium, etc.
2 - Put about 75 pounds of new aragonite substrate in the big tank, and add the new salt water.
3 - Add around 80 pounds new base rock to big tank.
4 - Move substrate/LR from 29 gallon to the big tank.
5 - Move water, corals, and fish from 29 gallon to big tank.
6 - Move sand, LR, and cheato from the existing sump/fuge to the new fuge.
So, could I do all that in the same day (mix the water ahead of time, though), and be successfull? What could I do differently/better? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!