Tank transfer do's and don'ts
- Thread starter winsbxnyc
- Start date
- Location
- NJ
If your reusing live sand I would recommend rinsing it in saltwater before putting into your new tank.
- Location
- Long Island - 11771
+1
I would also have at least 30 gallons of newly made saltwater that you can use as a water change if you see a spike since you are going to reuse your old water.
- Location
- Long Island - 11771
When I did 40 pounds of sand, I seperated it into 3 batches. I put one batch in a 5 gallon bucket with fresh saltwater, mixed it well, dumped out the saltwater, then transferred it to another 5 gallon bucket with saltwater and repeated. I put it directly into my tank after that, but I know some people like to spread it out and let it dry for 24 hours or so.
- Location
- NJ
I'd also set a bucket of fresh salt water aside to shake loose all the crap inside your rocks which builds up over time.
- Location
- riverhead long island
Personally i re-used my live sand, no rinse or anything, and then covered it with a fresh bag of sand or 2...i didnt have any problems but i may be the exception
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Reefs
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Reefs
Make sure u have enough buckets/ or storage bins that can hold water, u realize how little buckets/ space u have until its too late then ur running around. Id also get some tough gloves, you know the ones that go up to your elbows (purple in color)? you dont want to grab a rock and get stuck by a bristle worm, or cut your hand and get an infection, these rocks have alot of bacteria on them/ in them. protect yourself. if you have zoas/ palys especially, they can poison you if you touch them with your hands alot. You dont want to suffer side effects of palytoxin for 2-3 weeks because you picked up your favorite zoas by hand.
- Location
- Far Rockaway 11691
+1
Stupid me! Years in the hobby and I made this mistake the other day. Frag fell on a colony. While I was coming out of the tank I must have touch part of live rock with my pinky finger. I had bristle worm bristles in my finger. The swelling went down after 2 days. Still itches though
A few pointers...
1- it will take you WAY longer to do than you think (guaranteed)
2- move your fish out of the tank into something that has - a heater - an airstone and a COVER
3- do replace or rinse your sand well
4- do be sure to put your rock down before you add the sand back
5- do have extra heaters, buckets & water you will need more than you think
6- have a cover ready for the new tank, if you don't already. Your fish will get spooked in a new home, they are not as excited about this as you are!
7- write a checklist/plan and follow it
8- do things like pump cleaning, probe calibrating tonight
9- all water buckets should have a heater in them
10- make extra water
11- take pics for us
Good luck with the transfer!!
1- it will take you WAY longer to do than you think (guaranteed)
2- move your fish out of the tank into something that has - a heater - an airstone and a COVER
3- do replace or rinse your sand well
4- do be sure to put your rock down before you add the sand back
5- do have extra heaters, buckets & water you will need more than you think
6- have a cover ready for the new tank, if you don't already. Your fish will get spooked in a new home, they are not as excited about this as you are!
7- write a checklist/plan and follow it
8- do things like pump cleaning, probe calibrating tonight
9- all water buckets should have a heater in them
10- make extra water
11- take pics for us
Good luck with the transfer!!
Here are piks of my tank now so you guys can see before I brake it down
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