A serious upgrade question.

[Mattwnh]

I did a search for tank transfers, but I am only find threads that really don't answer my thoughts or concerns.

Most of the post I have seen are only doing an upgrade of 1/4 or 50% size upgrades.

My Case: 72g Bowfront to a 240

How would I go about making the transfer without any loss? My 72 I run BB (Bare Bottom), but I think I am going to rund a sand bed in the 240. I have already filled the 240 with RODI water (Just have to mix in the salt and try to get a close match to parameters as the 72). I also need to add the substrate (Any Ideas on substrate or substrate alternatives (play sand or ... ) I need something fast sinking (I am not looking to stir up a cloud).

My 72 most of the Rock is covered in Zoa'a and palys. I would be guessing I have around close to 150/200 lbs of rock total (give or take) (including a 30g crammed full of rock).

I would like to make the transfer rather quickly


Yeah yeah yeah .... I got caughtwith the bug. (figured either go big or go bust).


Thanks

 

[Rone]

First you really should of added the sand bed first and I would use all LS not the play sand as some brands tend to leak phosphates and other matters. I would also recommend premixing your water prior to filling tank for that kind of volume. Idea is to get tank as close as possible to the old one. A little advise that I did prior to switching tanks was I did a 50% water change on my old tank used that water to help fill the new one along with new water and tank only went threw a mini cycle. That's another factor you need to be concerned about is a cycle.

 

[Mattwnh]

I read somewhere that allot of folks like to add the sand bed after the rock as it sits on the bottom of the tank, They said sand diggers (pistol Shrimp, hermits , gobys etc) could move sand and make your rock shift (hence the reason I did it that way first. As to mixing, I really didn't see much point in mixing in a tote/bin vs inside the tank (as its all new water going in the 240 main tank, just just eliminating 1 extra step in transfering the water).

Am I thinking wrong on this still?

 

[Rone]

Pm 'd u

 

[MrX]

I read somewhere that allot of folks like to add the sand bed after the rock as it sits on the bottom of the tank, They said sand diggers (pistol Shrimp, hermits , gobys etc) could move sand and make your rock shift (hence the reason I did it that way first. As to mixing, I really didn't see much point in mixing in a tote/bin vs inside the tank (as its all new water going in the 240 main tank, just just eliminating 1 extra step in transfering the water).

Am I thinking wrong on this still?

Nope, you've got it right. You do want to make sure the rocks sit on the glass (or some other support) so they don't shift on you.

I think what Rone was referring to was the order is usually: rock, sand, water (premixed if you can).

Get the sand in ASAP so it has a couple days to settle down.

I would do as suggested and take some water from the old tank during a water change and put in in the new tank. I'd also move some of your rock into the new tank to get things cycling more; leave just enough in the old tank to handle things there. Don't forget displacement with the rock, you'll probably have to remove some water.

 

[jtmac]

If you don't want to sit the rocks on the glass, I have some acrylic sheets you can cut up and use as "pads" Pm me if your interested. All so is the all the rock cured? I would place the bulk of the rock in the tank to how you want it. Wait at least a week as you are going to cycle using the new sand.testing each day to be sure you your r=eadings get as close to Normal as you can before adding all your coral pcs.

John

 

[Rone]

If you need some help let me know and I could possibly hike it up there.

 

[Mattwnh]

If you need some help let me know and I could possibly hike it up there.

Thanks, Means allot to me to see others willing to lend a helping hand! (especially the distacnce we are apart and your willingness to make the journey.

But since my last post, I did pickup 140lbs (Aquarium sand (like the size of sugar grain) I didn't want to do anything fine as I don't like clouds. And 80lbs of Caribsea Sand (this is all the sand I could find between 2 petco's ) I spent Christmas eve rinsing and mixing the sand in a 2 gallon pitcher and slowly placing it in the tank. Yesterday after our Christmas dinner, I put the salt in and matched it pretty well with my other tank. I Tore down the 30 Gallon and put all the live rock in the 240. Everything this morning is Crystal clear.

Next task is rewiring the canopy. Its a total mess and I am not happy with it. But untill then ... Off to lowes, I need to grab a couple unions, Ball Valves and a couple check valves. (Idiot me put the stuff together without thinking ahead) So I will address that now before I stock the tank and have problems in the future.

 

[Rone]

Glad things are working out for ya.