Move to bigger tank...move water or start new?

[Kevin207]

Hi everyone....it's been awhile since I have visited the forums :? Busy summer

I am thinking about how to get my 9 foot tank water going ( http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=91376 ). I still have to choose lights and get the sump pump, but thought I might be able to start tank after I get the pump and plumb it in, while using a mixture of various existing lights I have. But even if I wait until I am perfectly ready to go, I still have this question...

So how would you start?
OPTION #1: Get live rock and start a brand new tank?
OPTION #2: Move old tank into new tank (fish, corals, and all) and slowly add salt water (some each day or week) to fill the 9 foot tank?
OPTION #3: Get more live rock and start with some water from old tank and top off the rest with new water?

If I move old tank over, I would have to use an alternate skimming method until the water got high enough for overflow(s).

If you have a moment, let me know your thoughts and experiences

 

[sweetpea355]

When I upgraded in the past I always used the old stuff and topoff with fresh saltwater, But my upgrades where only 25g each time(55to75,75to100) so I hope this helps.

 

[trido]

I would fill the new tank near full with new water and then move the old stuff, including the water to finish the fill up.
IMO use as much old water as you can.

 

[mr_X]

i don't have experience in this matter, but i am in the process of a move myself.
i bought 40 pounds of live rock to start the new tank cycle, and will use the old rock to finish the landscape, with corals attached. i'll be transporting them in full buckets of water, over a period of 2-3 days. i have a single halide over the new tank with the same kelvin and wattage bulb in it, so the first group of livestock will be ok while i transport the rest. sound good?

 

[trido]

i don't have experience in this matter, but i am in the process of a move myself.
i bought 40 pounds of live rock to start the new tank cycle, and will use the old rock to finish the landscape, with corals attached. i'll be transporting them in full buckets of water, over a period of 2-3 days. i have a single halide over the new tank with the same kelvin and wattage bulb in it, so the first group of livestock will be ok while i transport the rest. sound good?

Sounds like a solid plan to me. This method will work for Kevin207 as well.

 

[pcardone]

I would set up the new tank and let it cycle. some of the other reefers have come up with some awesome base rock formations with the bigger tanks.plus get a few algae blooms out of the way first. take your time the sky is the limit.