tank change over question

[new2saltyfish]

i currently have a 30 gallon reef thats been sitting for about 3 months now fish and all and just bought a 55 gallon that i got a good deal on. my question is how do i go about changing everything over to the 55. do i just take the water from the 30 gal and put it into the tank with the fish and slowly add more water or do i do rock first or what? any help would be appreciated.

 

[B.rian]

i have did this several times. remove all water and store it in 5g buckets. remove the rocks and do the same. change the sand over to the new tank (if you are using the same sand). start adding water back into the new tank. use a plate or tupperware to keep the water from moving sand all over your tank. once the water is in, have your skimmer and an external power filter run for an few hours to clear up the water. once it is back to normal, or somewhat close, add the rocks and whatever else you have.

 

[newfish]

i have did this several times. remove all water and store it in 5g buckets. remove the rocks and do the same. change the sand over to the new tank (if you are using the same sand). start adding water back into the new tank. use a plate or tupperware to keep the water from moving sand all over your tank. once the water is in, have your skimmer and an external power filter run for an few hours to clear up the water. once it is back to normal, or somewhat close, add the rocks and whatever else you have.

thats how i have always done it works fine corals are stressed for a day or two after

 

[new2saltyfish]

but what about the 5 fish that i have in the 30 gallon (where do i put them) cause im going to need more live rock for the 55 vs the 30 and the water will have to get set if im not mistaken. plus the new tank would also have to get used to the new bio-load so how would i go about adding the fish? do i just gradually add the water from one to the other slowly adding fish as well?

 

[B.rian]

just keep the fish in a 5g bucket until the tank is ready. the new tank will not have to cycle since you are using old sand, cycled water, and established LR. imagine it as a large water change rather than establishing a new tank.

also, if you have spare buckets: change the water in your 30g, but save the water in buckets. then a week later, do the switch. that way the 55g will be filled with water that was once in the 30g.

 

[new2saltyfish]

but i have to add about 25lbs or so more of live rock so should i buy that and put it in the new tank first? im going to need more then the 32 thats in the 30 gallon?

 

[JayM]

IMO, when you move the rock and sand, you are going to get SOME cycle. I have on my last 3 tank moves. If you buy cured LR, it should help control (minimize) the cycle. Since the tank is only 3 months old anyway, it's not fully established anyway. If you don't buy cured LR from somewhere, I would suggest Marco Rock that you can cure yourself.

I don't know where you are, but I must have 300# of LR in my sump, so if you're anywhere near Metrowest, and you'd like some base rock, PM me.

 

[new2saltyfish]

i live about 15 min north of boston so it's not to far from you. im actually looking for a purple colord live rock right now (about 30 lbs worth) so ill drop you a pm.