Questions about setting up a new tank

[Malibu361]

Questions about a new tank and adding rock

I currently have a 75 gallon in not too great shape I am looking to upgrade and of course add more live rock to a 90 reef ready tank my question to you is ..How long should and how do I cycle my new live rock ?Can I just add my existing water and live rock with new live sand or regular aquarium sand and a few cups of seed sand ??Or will my tank need to cycle all over again??thanks

 

[georgelc86]

During a transfer, there is die off of organisms that would cause an ammonia spike, you pretty much would have to let the tank cycle again. I think that since you have existing sand and rock you don’t need any seeder sand because not all the beneficial bacteria dies off.

 

[duke62]

when i transfered my rock and some sand i didnt have any ammonia spike.i checked everyday for a week.i transferred my remaining corals without any ill effects.the only thing that happened was a slight drop in ph.plus i added new sand and used around 3 or 4 cups of sand from old setup.i used all the water from old setup as well.

 

[ReeferMadness99]

You should cure the new live rock in a separate bin for 6 weeks. Then you can transfer all of them together into the new tank.

 

[Malibu361]

With a powerhead and a heater and change the water everyday?

 

[georgelc86]

If there is no livstock in this new tank, there is no need to cure the rock seperatly.

 

[Malibu361]

Well in my current tank I have a clown and a tang and some coral so the swap will be done in a day so I would like the tank to be ready and not have to go through the wholw cycling again ..

 

[alfani]

you should be fine, just be careful with the sand, it would cloud the water for a few hours. do it properly, death would be at minium. the fish should be fine

 

[Malibu361]

Could I buy live rock from someone who has an already established tank then just add it to my existing tank or will I need to let it cycle alone?