Help!! Upgrading transferring tanks

[Branespikin]

Guys- i am planning on transfering my 46 gallon into my new 75 g RR tank. I bought 120 lbs of Caribsea aragonite sand dry to put in my new tank. So whats the procedure? I currently have 55 lbs of live Fiji rock i will transfer into new tank. I also have some mushrooms,BTA,LTBA, kenya tree, starfish and some crabs and snails. Can i put dry sand into tank, put my live rock in and fill with water from my 46 gallon? Then add the rest of the water with RODI water and red sea salt mix? I will seed my new sand with a few cups of old sand. Can i put all my livestock into the 75 right away or do i need to wait? I have no place to keep my livestock but put in tank immediately. I am afraid tank will cycle and everything will die. Please help because i need to do this this week and have too much money invested for something to go wrong.

 

[BKLYNREEF123]

Do you have equipment to cycle the 75 while the 46 is still running? A return and a heater an extra pump?

 

[cmantis]

You should wait a little as that sand will cycle. Get some rubbermaids if you have to break down the other one. Btw that is a lot of sand it will be 3.5" sand bed. Best to go 1-2 or deep sand bed.

 

[Lenny718]

I've done this more times then I care to remember lol, just transfer everything over from your old tank to your new and you'll be fine. Transfer as much of the the water over from your old tank as well as all your live rock then make fresh saltwater to fill up the remainder of your new tank making sure the salinity and ph matches the old. I wouldn't worry about the sand cycling you will over compensate with the bacteria from your live rock and old water. Good luck!

 

[PhoenixOne]

I've done this more times then I care to remember lol, just transfer everything over from your old tank to your new and you'll be fine. Transfer as much of the the water over from your old tank as well as all your live rock then make fresh saltwater to fill up the remainder of your new tank making sure the salinity and ph matches the old. I wouldn't worry about the sand cycling you will over compensate with the bacteria from your live rock and old water. Good luck!

+1 :smile:

 

[Kworker]

i've done this more times then i care to remember lol, just transfer everything over from your old tank to your new and you'll be fine. Transfer as much of the the water over from your old tank as well as all your live rock then make fresh saltwater to fill up the remainder of your new tank making sure the salinity and ph matches the old. I wouldn't worry about the sand cycling you will over compensate with the bacteria from your live rock and old water. Good luck!

+2

 

[shark32]

If you remember, update this after you have done your move! I would like to know what you did and how it worked out.. I am upgrading from my 75 to a 125 in a couple of months and I am nervous about the move as well. Good Luck!

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

If you stir your sand you'll see how much detritus is in your sand. Sorry but I'd wash it if you plan on Placing livestock in during the transfer. I don't know how much money you have invested but seems suspect to allow a huge nitrate spike from all the detritus and think things will be fine.

Liverock is fine but sand is where it mostly sticks. Wash it out with your old water. Most of your bacteria won't be in the water column so wash it out with old water if you intend to reuse your old sand.

 

[Branespikin]

If you stir your sand you'll see how much detritus is in your sand. Sorry but I'd wash it if you plan on Placing livestock in during the transfer. I don't know how much money you have invested but seems suspect to allow a huge nitrate spike from all the detritus and think things will be fine.

Liverock is fine but sand is where it mostly sticks. Wash it out with your old water. Most of your bacteria won't be in the water column so wash it out with old water if you intend to reuse your old sand.

I wont be re using my old sand I bought Caribbean Aragonite reef sand. I might just wash it and give it to my brother as he will be taking my old tank. I am transferring everything except the sand exactly for the purpose you just stated.

 

[Branespikin]

If you remember, update this after you have done your move! I would like to know what you did and how it worked out.. I am upgrading from my 75 to a 125 in a couple of months and I am nervous about the move as well. Good Luck!

I will definitely share my experience. Planning on doing this weekend just waiting for some plumbing parts to arrive and smaller items.

 

[Branespikin]

You should wait a little as that sand will cycle. Get some rubbermaids if you have to break down the other one. Btw that is a lot of sand it will be 3.5" sand bed. Best to go 1-2 or deep sand bed.

Yeah I figured it will be a lot. I'd rather have extra then not have enough. I wont go more than 2 inches. I could always sell the extra. I can stick some in my refugium too.

 

[ReefMonkey13]

just want to mention that you should rinse the dry sand first before placing in the tank. Otherwise you will have milky water for the first few days.

 

[Branespikin]

I've done this more times then I care to remember lol, just transfer everything over from your old tank to your new and you'll be fine. Transfer as much of the the water over from your old tank as well as all your live rock then make fresh saltwater to fill up the remainder of your new tank making sure the salinity and ph matches the old. I wouldn't worry about the sand cycling you will over compensate with the bacteria from your live rock and old water. Good luck!

Great news! This is what I will do. If really need be I can keep some water in my 46 and keep my livestock in there for a few days. Its just that I really don't have the room for two tanks my wife will flip if she sees that in the living room.

 

[Branespikin]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it really helped me out.