Transfering to a new tank

Reefposer · Mar 20, 2009

Well... I got a sweet deal on a new tank but that brings up the issue of transfering everything over with the least amount of stress on the fish. the new tank is going to have to go right where the old one is so one has to be taken down and the new one set up rather quickly since I have nowhere to keep the fish.

Is it safe to take my rock from my existing tank and put it in the new tank with new water and then add fish right away?

I'm going from a 30g to a 40g with a sump so more like 50 or so gallons. I'm open to suggestions for the best and most efficient way to do this.

onefish2fish · Mar 20, 2009

take as much water from your existing tank and put it into a tupperware/food safe container. net your fish, siphon out remaining water into container. move tank away. put in new tank, do rock work and add water from container. add fish. fill up rest with new salt water that matches salinity and temp. have plenty of salt water and ro water on hand just incase, but to sum it up i would use as much of your existing water in the new tank.

sdrieger · Mar 21, 2009

onefish is dead on...you wanna save as much water from your old tank as you can...the more fresh saltwater you dont have to add the better...than just bring over your sand and rock...add your old water and your fish, than add the fresh saltwater that you mixed and call it a day...

Reefposer · Mar 21, 2009

Cool. Thanks for the tips. I wasn't sure if using all new water was ok so I'm glad I asked.

sdrieger · Mar 21, 2009

if you were to have used all new water you would have to re acclimate and you would go through another cycle as your water matured, thus making you have to wait to add your fish.

dastrader · Mar 21, 2009

Out of curiosity (along the same lines), I was told that when you change tanks you have to change sand. Is that true? The source said that when you move the sand it releases a lot of toxins that have been stored. I would love it if someone could shed some more light on this.

Gecko · Mar 21, 2009

Get a big garbage can or two depending on your tank size and cure it. Then take some tank water and place put in the can and start adding the rock. You will need to do this a little bit at a time so you keep your rock underwater, now it will be nice and easy to catch your fish and place them in the can.

Then remove any remaining water into the can. I would also suggest you keep the can close to the tank. You should then add a heater and powerhead. Now you break the tank down and remove the sand you can clean it or do whatever you will with it and start setting up the new tank. Then repeat the process into the new tank and top it off with new saltwater.

Reefposer · Mar 21, 2009

Gecko said:
Get a big garbage can or two depending on your tank size and cure it.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but how do I cure the trash can?

sdrieger · Mar 21, 2009

thats going through alot of unnecessary troubles. There is no reason to cure the rock because its not new rock from the ocean. its already established in his tank. getting garbage cans involved for such a small move will not only be a mess most likely but i huge pain in the butt.

follow the original responses by onefish and myself. there is no reason really to cure your live. chances are if you got it from a store that knows whats their doing it was already cured upon arriving at said store. the swap should be as easy as 1...2...3...put your fish in a bucket, you can leave your rock on a towel or something as long as it doesnt dry out completly. transfer your sand into the new tank, than water so you dont cloud the water too bad by adding sand last, rescape it with your rock than add your fish...done

As for the sand comment, you can reuse your sand in a new aquarium, i think you may have a problem with releasing nitrates and such if the sand is a DSB and WELL established. the tank is fairly new so the sand hasnt gotten to the point of building up all the unwated chemicals that you would risk releasing.

Gecko · Mar 21, 2009

When I was curing stuff like rock and switching my tank over. I soaked the garbage can with water and bleached it for an hour. I then rinsed it well with soap and water and then dried it with paper towels. I then let it sit outside on a sunny day to allow the sun to bleach it as well. I then cleaned it real well with water used it.

Gecko · Mar 21, 2009

I think you misunderstood this but he isn’t curing live rock he is switching his tank out. This will take some time since he is putting the tank in the same space. He can tear everything down and set the new system up and make sure there aren’t any problems.

With my luck I always end up with problems and by doing it this ways he I will be fine when Murphy rears his ugly head.

sdrieger · Mar 21, 2009

ohh your saying to "cure" the garbage can?? ???

onefish2fish · Mar 21, 2009

Gecko said:
When I was curing stuff like rock and switching my tank over. I soaked the garbage can with water and bleached it for an hour. I then rinsed it well with soap and water and then dried it with paper towels. I then let it sit outside on a sunny day to allow the sun to bleach it as well. I then cleaned it real well with water used it.

do not use soap!!! period.

bleach is fine, granted you let it COMPLETELY air dry, same with vinegar or ammonia but never soap.

chaoscat · Mar 22, 2009

dastrader said:
Out of curiosity (along the same lines), I was told that when you change tanks you have to change sand. Is that true? The source said that when you move the sand it releases a lot of toxins that have been stored. I would love it if someone could shed some more light on this.

If it's possible for you to do so, it is safer to establish a whole new sand bed, rather than try to transfer one. I had the advantage that my new tank was going in a different spot than the old one. I was able to set up and cycle in the new tank as it's own entity, then move everything over.

The reason it's considered risky to move a sand bed is Hydrogen sulfide gas. Over time,in packed down areas (especially under rocks) decay can and will produce pockets of toxic Hydrogen sulfide gas. This is normal and nothing bad happens - as long as the system is stable. BUT, once you start serious re-landscaping all bets are off.
I once removed one fairly small rock that had been somewhat pressed down in the sandbed (for over a year). I immediately lost 4-5 corals. They just closed up and died. The only thing I could figure was that Hyd. Sulfide gas was released when I pulled out that rock.

It's a roll of the dice, you might be fine. There are accounts all the time of people who shift over huge systems in a day, without losing a fish or coral. There are also accounts of the other variety where things don't go so well.

If you must move a sand bed, this is what I would do. Start pulling out water and every coral, fish ,rock that you can without disturbing the sand bed. Take out as much water as you can leaving only an inch or so above the sand. The very last thing to do is to pull out those rocks that sat directly on or were embedded in the sand. Once everything is out, take a stick/spoon or whatever and stir the hell out of the sandbed. This should release any trapped Hyd Sulfide gas into the water. If there is any significant amount you will get a distinct odor of rotten eggs. (by the way it's toxic to people to so don't just stand there and sniff it) Remove the sand and DISCARD THE REMAINING WATER

It's possible you may get a small cycle, no matter how you do this. Monitor for ammonia. It might be wise to have some extra water prepared for changes, just in case you see a spike.

GOOD LUCK