Transfer to larger tank

[fransmom]

Hi everyone. I've almost finished my stand and plumbing for my deep ble 57 gallon rimless. My question is, what's the best way to transfer livestock and corals without too much distress. I currently have a Red Sea Max 130D which half of the tank is rock work that has lps softies and zoas all over also 3 RBTA and clams. I bought 45 lbs of sand and intend to use all the water from current tank please fresh batch. However I heard not to use the old sand bed because of all that gas that is stirred up. I have to stir it up to get most of my clean up crew out and I also need to seed my my tank . I know I'm using all my previous live rock and water but how much old sand should I use. Can anyone list the steps I should follow for a successful transfer?

 

[theMeat]

Would fill the new tank and take from the old tank a little rock, sand, water and filter sock, or some other seeded media to cycle the new tank before i put any livestock in. Especially for the enemone. Feed the new tank a bit everyday as if there were fish in it. As for the sand...if it's les than 4" deep not much to worry about. Maybe use half the sand to do the new tank cycle.
Would rather take my time and be safe rather then sorry
My .02

 

[albano]

How old is the current tank's sandbed? ... The older, the dirtier it will be!
Since sand should be added after rockwork is done, you can rinse some off in old tank water and use some 'unclean' to reseed the new tank

 

[fransmom]

The tank is about a year and a half and the sand bed I just added extra sand the other day but I would say the sand that is about 2 inches. I don't have a filter socks because it's a all in one. I didn't think that I would have that big of a cycle if I'm using all the rocks and all the water from the smaller tank just adding new sand and more water . I don't have the luxury of cycling the new tank because the equipment from the old tank will be used for the new one so that is not an option. Example heater, apex,Kessil.

 

[fransmom]

By the way I really appreciate the response guys. I've always downgraded because I started with a 75 gallon that leaked but this is the first real upgrade.

 

[albano]

As long as you're not adding addition fish or coral right away, I think you'll be fine moving everything to new tank... As mentioned, leave sand for last, then you can take some for seeding and then 'stir up' the rest (which should be very dusty/dirty) and rinse it off before dumping into new tank

 

[fransmom]

Thanks a lot.

 

[Clink51]

im currently doing the same thing. Its been taking me forever it feel. anyway, as long as youre not adding anything, you should be okay. treat this more as an addition than as a move. what i mean is, acclimate the fish and coral before adding them in.

 

[fransmom]

I felt kinda incompetent for asking these questions after having a tank for years but you know, you guys have been great and I learn from others experience

 

[fransmom]

Albano- say your you tube clip. That's a beautifully monstrous tank. Hats off to you.

 

[fransmom]

Did transfer.lost a female anthias a day later. But other than that it was laborious. I didn't get to rinse the Old sand right away so I did it three days later. It still smells pretty fishy like beach water I used tapwater to rinse a couple times to all the dust was gone then ROwater to do a final rinse. Can I still use that sand even after sitting for three days before washing?

 

[BKLYNREEF123]

I would not worry about using too much of the water from the original system. the majority of bacteria is not in the water column anyway. Plan on having lots of freshly mixed salt water as close as the parameters in the tank as possible. I second the opinion of rinsing the rock and small amount of sand with the old tank water to remove detritus. some carbon and a sock or filter floss will help clear up the water after you do the transfer. Some mb7 niteout or special blend would be a nice addition. Good Luck