swapping tanks

[Jim]

I am switching my aquarium out. I have a 210 gallon which is not reef ready and am going to a RR setup.

How should I do this in order to keep my new tank from cycling? I have a sump running, can save the water and return the live rock. What else?

What about the sand? The tank has been setup for maybe 3 years as a reef tank, so I am pretty sure the sand in the back may be dirty (the clown fish stirs the sand in the front pretty frequently so it is probably cleaner). Is there a way to clean it during the transfer? Should I replace the sand?

What is the thoughts on a reef tank without a sand bed? (I have seen a few like that -- I like the sand look so will probably go back with it)?

 

[Reefmike]

I would use new sand. I have been bit in the butt by re-using sand.

 

[uchin]

I'm with mike. Go with new sand and if you want seed some of your old sand into the new tank. Say rinse and add lil at a time. give me a shout I can see what your up to?

 

[the floor guy]

what kind of sand was it to begin with? u could say take few cups out and really clean and rinse the rest of the sand out

 

[Jim]

It is the very fine white sand. Could I rinse it with the garden hose (add a few cups of seed sand from my tank)?

THanks Ucin. I will give you a call (maybe you should send me your phone number again).

 

[beemer]

not to hi jack this thread but what would be wrong using all the sand from the 1st tank i have a tank that is about 6 month cycled n it has devloped a leak n i am thoinking about swapping all the sand out into the new tank..........dave

 

[Jim]

Still looking for helpers for Saturday, oct 17th. Loading in Plano and unloading in Arlington. Thanks in advance

 

[kthomas]

@beemer wrote:

Dave,

The cause of concern with using "old" sand from an established tank is that when you stir it up it can release bacteria gases back into the water column. This can cause a cycle.

I had my tank up for a year and my sump leaked. I had to quickly get a new one put in and used the old sand which was about 3-4" deep in my fuge. Well I got it switched over and then not even a day later I had a mini-cycle. I lost all my zoas in my tank and a lot of corals coloration was lost.

I think that most would rather fork over the money to get the new sand than to risk the thousands of dollars we have invested in our tanks.

 

[Jim]

Still looking for a few helpers either in Plano or Arlington.

I dont have a lot of sand --- maybe 1/2". Does adding new sand (and a small amount from my old tank to seed it) reduce or eliminate the cycle? Will not have time to let the tank cycle for weeks. Isnt there some additive that you can put in the eliminate or speed up the cycle -- should I add that?

 

[Jim]

Bump for a few more volunteers.

This is gonna happen on Saturday.

Still hope to use the trucks?

JIm

 

[ss95003]

I am still in with truck as long as nothing comes up. What time are you shooting for?

 

[Jim]

I am flexible. The person I am getting it from has been out of town all weekend. I need to check with him -- to make certain he is there.

Thanks again for agreeing to help. Who else?

Turk

 

[Jim]

How about 10 am in Plano?

I will need 4 or 5 guys in Plano and 4 or 5 guys in SW Arlington.

I need volunteers....

 

[tnn1567]

@beemer wrote:

I am with beemer, why use new sand? Instead of doing a long cycle, why not do a short cycle. If you are willing to risk killing your livestocks, by all mean. If you have a sand bed less than 3 in, then maybe add new sand on top of the old sand.