How to upgrade tanks?

[Anonymous]

Ok I have the new tank sitting in the dining room right now, and the stand is about 20% done. Once I am done with the stand, what is the recommended process to upgrade from a 46 to a 90? I need to add some more sand and rock, because the stuff from the 46 isn't enough. Do I add the sand and LR and seed it with a piece from my current tank and let it cycle? I am assuming that is the best way, however (and this a pretty big however) my current tank has 1/2 if its top support snapped at the moment. It is currently still held with a piece of cable, and I am going to pick up a wood clamp from a friend to reinforce it. If I do that should I wait for the new tank to cycle alone? If I do a 50% water change in the current tank and use that water to partially fill the new tank would that help the cycle go faster? What are the recommendations from the masters?

 

[Anonymous]

Recommendations from the Mistress (if you please sirrah)

Really, IME you could do it either way. I've done both these:

The GUTSY way:
You can just add new sand to your new tank (wet it down with tank water) and put your existing sand right over top, add your rock, all of the current tank water+some new saltwater and let er rip. You shouldn't have too much of a cycle as the rock/substrate isn't going to die off and the bacterial colonies should be fine but I'd still test it for the first month. Cut back on feedings and don't add any live rock unless you are 100% sure it's cured for a month or so. Be prepared to do large water changes if things get out of hand.

The SLOWER WIMPIER way:
If you can stabilize your old tank, I'd put the additional new sand and new live rock into the new tank, put in a large scoop or two of your old substrate and a piece of your old rock to start it cooking and let it roll for 2 weeks or so. Using water from your existent tank would be a big boost to cycling your new one, that and the live sand. In a month, transfer everything over.

 

[bleedingthought]

Recommendations from the Mistress (if you please sirrah)

Really, IME you could do it either way. I've done both these:

The GUTSY way:
You can just add new sand to your new tank (wet it down with tank water) and put your existing sand right over top, add your rock, all of the current tank water+some new saltwater and let er rip. You shouldn't have too much of a cycle as the rock/substrate isn't going to die off and the bacterial colonies should be fine but I'd still test it for the first month. Cut back on feedings and don't add any live rock unless you are 100% sure it's cured for a month or so. Be prepared to do large water changes if things get out of hand.

The SLOWER WIMPIER way:
If you can stabilize your old tank, I'd put the additional new sand and new live rock into the new tank, put in a large scoop or two of your old substrate and a piece of your old rock to start it cooking and let it roll for 2 weeks or so. Using water from your existent tank would be a big boost to cycling your new one, that and the live sand. In a month, transfer everything over.

I vote for the first way. It'll be similar to doing a 50% water change. That's the way I would go about it. And while you've got your new tank running with all the stuff from the old, use the 46 to host some new, already cured rock, (only fill the tank about half way) and slowly add it to the new...

 

[Anonymous]

Do yourself a favor, get your sand in some old tank water now. Bacteria will colonize the sand and you'll have less of a storm later. You could even put a scoop of sand from your old tank.

How much sand do you have in your 46? IF it's deeper than 2 or so inches I'd just skim the top and add it to the new tank. No need to stir up all the nasties in the bottom layer.

Other than that I'd go with option one. I just moved a 180 to a 240 in the same spot in one day. Very little problem other than the particulates from the new sand. Had it been soaking in tank water for a week there wouldn't have been much to worry about.

B