Tank Upgrade Question

[vanceny]

For those who have upgraded their tanks, and I know there are many, did you all drip acclimate the corals and live rock before adding it to the new tank?

I have the tank set up already with sand, base rock and 2 pieces of live rock from my existing tank. I also added a few cups of sand from the old tank. The new tank has been running for about 3 weeks now. I've also done water changes by tanking water from the new tank and exchanging it with the old tank. Not sure if that does any good since I don't think the bacteria is in the water column. I figure this would be sort of a way of acclimating. I exchange about 4 gallons a day. The old tank is a 29gal with a 20gal sump. I figure with all the rock and sand I have about 35gal of total volume. If I keep the exchange going for about another week I should have most of the water switched out.

btw, the new tank is a 90gal with a 55gal sump/fuge. :biggrin:

So back to the main question. What are your experiences with upgrades? Inquiring minds would like to know (me).

Thanks all.

V

 

[DEEPWATER]

I would! to be on the safe side ,You are adding new water that might change water parameters .corals i would do a temp acclimation and a quick drip ,but fish iwould do for atleast an hr or so

 

[vanceny]

I'm trying to get the temps to match now. Can you explain a quick drip?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would do this, Slowly make sure the water parameters in the new tank and the old tank are exact. PH Nitrate, Nitrite, Amonia, SG, Temp, ETC. Then I would transfer the livestock over as carefully as possible. This is what I did when I upgraded from my 29 to my 55.

 

[vanceny]

yep, that's what I'm trying to accomplish with the water exchanges. I was thinking that the earlier I move the live rock over the less likely there will be a cycle.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would move the rock first then the livestock then take some more water from the old tank and swap it into the new tank.

 

[vanceny]

I guess the only problem with that is that most of my coral is attached to the rock. I only have a tomato clown and a bunch of snails left since the black out.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Should be ok if the tanks are the same parameters. I did my upgrade in 1 day and no problems. I lost my anthias (my fault because I rush acclimated her) that's it.

 

[vanceny]

Thanks, I will probably try to match the parameters. Is there a need to drip the rock/coral?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Make sure PH and Temp and SG are exact and the Coral should be ok.