TANK HELP- suggestions/opinions

[NaCl H2O StL]

I recently found a crack in the bridge of my 46g bowfront. It has been running for about 18 mos. I have decide to upscale a bit and go to a 55g. I have gotten mixed opinions on whether or not I can just transfer everything over to the new tank without a spike in ammonia. Is it safe or not?

I have 2 starfish, 2 clowns, hippo tang as the fishes and mostly mushroom corals along with about 50-65lbs of live rock.

Another opinion was that i could put rock, fish and corals in a sand-less temporary 30g aquarium and wait for the new tank to cycle. could i just circulate this tank with a couple of circulating pumps?

PLEASE HELP.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Does the tank have live rock? If so, you should be able to move it straight over to the new tank. The live rock has all the bacteria you need.

 

[NaCl H2O StL]

Yes it already has live rock... 50-65lbs. My concerns are when I move the sandbed if it is going to cause an ammonia spike.