Changing tank procedure

[Skeeter7424]

So I am in the process of planning my change from my 26 bow to my 34 RSM tank. I am going to cycle the RSM with some new rock and all new sand for 2-4 weeks depending on levels. I have multiple tupperwares ready for my livestock (all with at least 1 powerhead, and 1 heater). But what have people done to make this easy on their livestock? I am not so worried about easy on me, as I will have adequate help when this goes down, just trying to see what people did for switchovers. Also, I know it isn't ideal, but the tank will be cycled downstairs, then drained and moved upstairs to where the DT now is being torn down. Yikes, as I type this it gets scarier. ANY and all help is much appreciated.

cheers
...Skeeter...

 

[JasonandRay]

sounds good, just have alot of water ready for water changes and try to reuse old rock to make it easier on the bioload

 

[gobyvin]

I have moved salt fish and inverts 6 times, some long distance.

Moves in the same house are pretty simple.

Turn lights off, but have enough light to see what you are doing (ambient room light or actinics only) do the best you can to avoid bright light.

1. Gently remove all delicate inverts, in this order:
Clams, Nems, SPS, Softies
Place these in their own container(s).
Start their heaters and powerheads/airstones
2. Gently remove all LR, starting with one side of the tank.
Start their heaters and powerheads
3. Quickly catch fish with large plastic containers and coaxing nets. Try to avoid nets if you can.
Take care to separate the fish if you have species that like to keep separate in the wild / your tank.
(Don't put a goby with a tang hovering wildly over his head)
4. Save as much clean water as you can through this process.
5. Stir the sand very well, pile it in one side of the old tank and drain the muck to the glass on the opposite.
You can re-use and should re-use your sand once cleaned. remove the sand at this point and place in a container full of water and a heater/powerhead. If you go direct to the new tank, then maybe you can skip this if your aquascape is not going to take very long.

Add the animals back in this order: 5-4-2-1-3, all as delicately and swiftly as you can.

Try to have life support for the new tank ready to touch off when all life is moved. Any delays at this point can be devastating.

 

[gobyvin]

Have lots of new heated water

Have at least double the volume of your new tank ready on hand if you want lots of insurance. Also, have plenty of spare salt for mixing and RO water ready.

Best of luck and take your time. Sounds like you are preparing well.

 

[Skeeter7424]

gobyvin, that kind of thing was exactly what i was looking for. I will have a bunch of water on hand, i just dont know if I can have 68 gallons of new water on hand, or are you talking about having 2x your water overall. i will be using 75% or so of the old tank water as a base in the new tank, then filling the rest of it with cycled water and premix that i will have on hand. on the sand, i am going to put a couple cups in the new sand to cycle with it, but have heard awful things about "rustling up" sand and then reusing it (release of settled stuff in the sand). thanks for the help guys. this will be a slightly drawn out process, and my last couple issues were caused by me rushing (BIG SURPRISE...)

Cheers
...Skeeter...