Moving from one tank to another....ADVICE please.

[rio32]

Hi there!

I will be moving all my live sand, live rock, water, livestock, etc. from 100 gal to 115 gal.

I would like to learn from the experience of others if possible.

Please tell me the best way to do this and how to prevent a "cycling" of the tank if possible.

I only have about 3/4 inch of sand if it is spread out evenly. However, most has accumulated behind the live rock and is 1 inch or a little more in depth in places.

Also, any advice on general ideas on doing this as smoothly as possible would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[steelcaveman]

I would replace the sand.
I would add the sand a few weeks after everything else is up and running.
If you are moving the sump - and the sump has a big refugium, you might have very little cycle.
There are products out there to help with cycling.

 

[rio32]

.@steelcaveman wrote:

I should probably give a little more information.

I have no sump. The tank is not RR. I have a hot refugium and protein skimmer.
Only other filtration is sand and live rock.

I have a brand new wet/dry that I haven't set up yet. Should I do that so that I have a good bacteria generator before I do the switch?

Also, why would I want to replace the sand? Just want to learn from all this.

Thanks

 

[steelcaveman]

Hair algae.