moving my old reef to a new 125......

[JLAudio]

Hey all, I recently broke down my 110 reef and sold all the livestock and tank aswell to fellow MR members. I currently have all the Rock, Sand and about 60 gallons of water in 2 sterile garbage cans, with heat, flow and a skimmer.

The question is how long should I wait once I introduce this to my new tank with additional water, before I adding livestock?

I assume I should check the usual levels but I dont think that would be a problem because this rock, sand and water is some 4 years old, just has been sitting around 3 weeks or so in these containers.

I assume its similar to a very large water change, so if all params are fine can I start off with a few fish after a cpl days? (my old bioload was about 10 fish in a smaller tank)

What are some suggestons for begginer fish (besides psycho damsels) if all params are fine etc. Im going with a SEMI AGGRSSV. FOWLR?

Thanks

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would let the tank cycle as if it were a new tank.

 

[JLAudio]

So the usual 6 weeks I assume? Is there a way to use paramater measurement toknow when this is achieve or just time?

 

[DevIouS]

The rock is cured, so it shouldn't be that long.
It should only be a small spike.
I would start testing the water where the rock is now & do water changes as necessary. When you're ready to place the rock & water in the tank, all you need to do is just fill the remaining with fresh water. Test again.
Take it slow on adding fish.

I'd rinse out the sand or get new.

 

[qy7400]

I've done this a few times, the rock is fully cured so there will be very little to no cycle; there's no die off. If you use some of the water from the holding bins how would this be different than a large water change?

On the sand I'd lean more towards all new and use a cup or 2 to seed it, sands cheap enough not to take the chance.

 

[JLAudio]

I really want some nice new sugar grained sand anyway. So maybe Ill just disgard this sand and go with new.

Im thinking of going with a non living sand due to the price and just seed with some of my old.

I wonder if all the new Non living sand will cause a cycle?

 

[JLAudio]

Thanks Chief, DVS, and 7400 for great info

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

That is a better idea than re-using the old sand. That can turn into a ticking time bomb unless you wash the old sand thoroughly hence rendering it not live anymore.

 

[JLAudio]

Question: Because I wondering if my water is stable before adding livestock, Should I check for lack of ammonia, and nitrite (aswell Ph, salinity fine) or should I wait till nitrite is up to indicate bacteria is doing its thing?

 

[qy7400]

Never hurts to test the water, two other easy test; give the rock a good sniff, there should be no foul smell. Second look for life, odds are you will see small feather dusters or pods running around the rock.

New sand seeded with the old is always the best bet and should not cause any cycle as there is no decay to start it.