Another transferring question....

[steevareno]

I have my 180 setup and running with some new sand and seeded with sand from the 7 month old 150. Can or should I use the water from the 150 or the new water in the 180? The old water has slightly high nitrates(25PPM) and the new water is all RO/Di with matching Salinity, PH, temp and no nitrates. Isn't seawater like wine? It get's better over time? If so, should i use the old water or the new or some combo of each?

 

[dpnshnks]

Hi Steve,

Can't wait to see pics of the new 180 when it's all set-up and running. I would think maybe 50/50 (old/new) water would work pretty well. You may be putting in some nitrates into your system, but you're also putting in a LOT of beneficial bacteria!

Eric

 

[steevareno]

That makes sense to me too. Anyone else?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

When I setup my 125g I went with all new water. Since I was transferring all of my LR to the new tank, any bacteria would transfer via LR.
I also let my tank sit for about 3 weeks after it was set-up & running with some LR in it.

 

[delta]

I would put atleast 75 gal from the 150 otherwise you will shock your livestock. This way it will be just like a nice big water change.

 

[steevareno]

How does this sound?

1)Drain 75 gallons from the 180
2)Add 75 gallons from the 150 3)Add all the live rock from the 150
4)Keep corals/fish in the 150 with 75 gallons of the new water from the 180
5)Let the 180 cycle and get the parameters right; calcium, alk, temp, ph, salinity

Questions; 1)Is the live sand enough bacteria to keep my corals/fish while the 180 cycles? I can add all new sand so there is less dieoff rather than use the sand from the 150. Sand is 7 months old.
2)When do i add the calcium reactor from the 150 to the 180?
3)Should i add all the live rock at once or a little at a time?

 

[Clam Man]

new sand its going to cycle no way around that like dave said let it sit for atleast 4 weeks.

 

[Duds]

the guy at the meeting said he has used the same sand from one tank for 19 years and then he had to move his tank and used the same sand and he is still using it so its been more than 19 years
Duds

 

[Clam Man]

yes but im sure he rinsed it.

 

[delta]

well you either do it all at once and make it a big move or you do it a little at a time. setup tank add LR let cycle then slowly add livestock (little livestock cycle then more livestock then cycle

I personally would just upgrade new sand seeded All the LR and Livestock half the water from your old tank. I have done this serveral times with no problems at all. i Wouldn't add your old sand well just just a few cups to get things going.

recycle the old sand rinse it well then drain it to get all the waste out it will be good for a new setup that is going to be cycled

 

[steevareno]

I was thinking of rinsing the old sand and letting it sit in the sun but that may take too long. Delta, so your in favor of adding everything at once? Anyone had troubles with this? If not i can do this in 1 shot! Any thoughts on a shallow sand bed? I ran out of sand but i have about 1 inch in there now and can do the change right now. I was thinking of going with a SSB anyhow.....

 

[delta]

I was thinking of rinsing the old sand and letting it sit in the sun but that may take too long. Delta, so your in favor of adding everything at once? Anyone had troubles with this? If not i can do this in 1 shot! Any thoughts on a shallow sand bed? I ran out of sand but i have about 1 inch in there now and can do the change right now. I was thinking of going with a SSB anyhow.....

yes in favor of everything at once. As far as the sand bed what we were told at the meeting was shallow or deep it didnt matter they both handle the load the same.
But me i have always been a SSB lover

 

[steevareno]

Excellent!!! Thanks for your help. I guess i'll be late for work tomorrow!!!!

 

[delta]

Do a search Steve (smcnally) just changed out his 75 to a 135 same way

 

[johnny]

Steve
maybe you should fill the 55 gallon you have with water from the 150 and put your live stock and your fish. Maybe put in your skimmer or maybe not
Not sure
Clean old sand from your 150 and put it in your new tank.
Add and arrange your live rock and let it sit for 3/4 weeks.
Do not know.I know when I did my switch from the 70 gallon to the 125 had a rtn problems.So did D remember
I know when I do my 180 next month all new sand and dry rock from mark and let it do its thing.
I don't know if this is a good idea for you with the 55 gallon or not hopefully someone will chime in.

 

[johnny]

have you done it yet?

 

[gurumasta]

steve - this is only my opinion.

your tank water being like wine may be true, but i feel the big deal is that your animals are adjusted to that water. the struggle with nitrates in your 150 that you have been having can easily be cured here. i say cycle the 180 completely prior to transferring anything. throw some base rock and sand in the 180 and seed it with sand from the 150 and a box of live rock. i would leave the rock in the 150 alone, as i would guess your nitrates spiking even higher when you bother the sand bed and if you take out any other anoxic bacteria within the rock or sand. once the 180 has stable levels, you can slowly acclimate things from one tank to the other. you can take one of the pendants off of the 150 and use that on the 180 and remove the corals from under that pendant with it, to see how things go in the new tank.

i cant justify doing it all at once when you have the luxury of both tanks being up and running simentaneously. just my opinion, i hope it helps.

 

[steevareno]

Thanks Gu, It all makes sense but what do you think about using all new water? Or just partial. Maybe a 50/50????

 

[gurumasta]

Thanks Gu, It all makes sense but what do you think about using all new water? Or just partial. Maybe a 50/50????

i would say that depends on an accurate nitrate reading in order to get ahead of the battle.

 

[steevareno]

tested last night at 25PPM........