56 column reef tank need help setting up

[Devonvincent98]

I have had a 29 gallon saltwater tank with a pulsing Xenia, 2 Kenya tree, and a toadstool. I want to upgrade to a 56 and I want to know if when I add more sand and cured live rock will it have to recycle or will I have to add live sand to. Please give me instructions on how to do it

 

[theplantman]

Yes, you should expect to have to recycle the tank, unless and this is still only a maybe, you transfer only what is in your existing tank and do not add another 20-30 lbs of live rock right off the bat.

Even so you may still see a small cycle. I would make the transfer and add the sand and then just watch your parameters for a couple weeks. If all is good, then add some dry rock to the tank to boost your biofilter, that is unless you are in to minimalist reefscapes.

 

[Devonvincent98]

I willbe using the same sump and it has bioballs in it will this be fine

 

[theplantman]

Not sure how big your sump is, one thing I would recommend is getting rid of the bioballs. They have a tendency to become nitrate factories. What model sump are you using? Can the compartment with the bioballs be converted into a refugium instead?