Hi all I wanted to know if this is a bad idea or not. I have a small 8 gallon nano that is pretty much overgrown and I was thinking about getting a 12 gallon nano since still I dont have room in my apt for a bigger tank but wanted to get a little more room for the corals. Could I just transfer the rock and corals etc into a new tank or is it a better idea to cycle it and begin from scratch?
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Transfering to bigger tank
- Thread starter smokey30
- Start date
Miller
Non-member
I've been there before multiple times. If you plan it out and do it right would can make that upgrade with no issues.
Here is how I did it...
-Make sure you have plenty of saltwater pre made (more then the extra water volume you need, have enough for a few water changes in case you need to do a water change the next day)
-If the tank is going in the same spot you will need to remove all the corals and fish, a spare tank or anything that will fit them will work.
-Each time I have done the tank upgrade I have went with all NEW sand. I always tossed the old stuff.
-Sit down and write yourself a list of everything you need to do in the order it will be done.
-Review the list mentioned above and make sure everything is right. Now when you go to make the swap you don't have to think about what to do. You just do step 1, cross it off and repeat till your finished. This way you don't get half way through and be like damn I should have done this first. Makes the work less stressful.
The list and preparation are KEY! It might sound silly but put EVERYTHING on the list from start to finish.
I moved from a 10 to a 20 and also doubled our water volume multiple times with larger sumps doing it this way. I also moved our system (5 different bodies of water) without loosing a SINGLE fish or coral. In the next month I will be swapping my 20 high for a 93 gallon cube! I'll be making a list before I start for sure.
Last thing, TIME TIME TIME. Leave yourself plenty of time. Don't start late in the day in case for some reason it takes longer then you thought. It is surprising how long tank moves and upgrades can take. I think under estimating the time it will take and lack of proper preparation are the two reasons why most people have issues, lose livestock and crash systems during moves.
Here is how I did it...
-Make sure you have plenty of saltwater pre made (more then the extra water volume you need, have enough for a few water changes in case you need to do a water change the next day)
-If the tank is going in the same spot you will need to remove all the corals and fish, a spare tank or anything that will fit them will work.
-Each time I have done the tank upgrade I have went with all NEW sand. I always tossed the old stuff.
-Sit down and write yourself a list of everything you need to do in the order it will be done.
-Review the list mentioned above and make sure everything is right. Now when you go to make the swap you don't have to think about what to do. You just do step 1, cross it off and repeat till your finished. This way you don't get half way through and be like damn I should have done this first. Makes the work less stressful.
The list and preparation are KEY! It might sound silly but put EVERYTHING on the list from start to finish.
I moved from a 10 to a 20 and also doubled our water volume multiple times with larger sumps doing it this way. I also moved our system (5 different bodies of water) without loosing a SINGLE fish or coral. In the next month I will be swapping my 20 high for a 93 gallon cube! I'll be making a list before I start for sure.
Last thing, TIME TIME TIME. Leave yourself plenty of time. Don't start late in the day in case for some reason it takes longer then you thought. It is surprising how long tank moves and upgrades can take. I think under estimating the time it will take and lack of proper preparation are the two reasons why most people have issues, lose livestock and crash systems during moves.
SharkLover
T5 LPS
put the sand in first.
then put a plastic wrap on top.
On top of that place a flat plate in the center.
On top of the plate put a decent sized bowl.
Fill the water into the bowl, let it overflow into the plate which falls onto the plastic wrap and avoids the sandstorm. Thats the theory i've heard of being done with larger tanks.
then put a plastic wrap on top.
On top of that place a flat plate in the center.
On top of the plate put a decent sized bowl.
Fill the water into the bowl, let it overflow into the plate which falls onto the plastic wrap and avoids the sandstorm. Thats the theory i've heard of being done with larger tanks.
Miller
Non-member
Your welcome! You can do what SharkLover suggested. I skip the plate and bowl and just put down some plastic then carefully fill the tank.
Joel A
Started over.
you know that's a pretty cool idea... only issue i see is being able to fill it slowly enough so that the bowl and plate just slowly dribble out..
Miller
Non-member
If you skip using a plate and bowl and just lay the tubing down on the plastic so its not pouring down onto the plastic but pouring out across it you can move the water faster and still avoid the sand storm.
Joel A
Started over.
yeah, that's what i always do when i set up a new tank.. i use news paper though. Usually there's still a bit of a storm, but not nearly as bad as there could be..
what do you use for "plastic" ceran wrap of something?
