Upgrade Time!!

[rebekwl]

On our quest to save money (haha) my husband and I came across a 90 gal tank w/ oak stand and hood on Craig's List for $250. We weren't looking to spend that much, but after extensive research that was the best deal we could find. And the stand isn't made of pressre board, that's a plus!! So, last night, at the spur of the moment we went and picked it up!!

I'm SOOOOO excited, but I need some serious advice on how to properly transfer everything from the 55 to the 90. We will deffinitely have to buy some more sand. We have about 90 lbs. of LR and will just use that for now and continue to add LR in the future like we did with the 55.

First I am wondering what order to add things to the tank. Do we put in water then rock then sand? Sand then water then rock? I am also wondering if we should mix the new sand in with the live sand from our tank, or do we lay the old sand on top of the new? Or should we lay the new sand on top of the old? I would prefer to either mix it together, or lay the new sand on top, but I'm not sure what the proper method is.

I figure we will get a few huge rubbermaid containers. 1 for fish, 1 for corals, 1 for rock. Put water (of course) airstones and powerheads in each, plus a heater each for the corals and the fish. How long will they last in this environment? I'm also not sure how soon I can introduce livestock to the new tank. Do I wait until the sand settles on the bottom completely, or just wait until I can somewhat see through the water? I know I can't keep the fish in the rubbermaid tubs for too long, but I want to make sure that the tank is safe for them as well.

Thanks everyone for your help, I can't wait to get some advice!!

[lcstorc]

Congrats on the upgrade. That is so exciting. Is the new tank drilled? That can make a huge difference.
s far as the order of addition I will let the more experienced people chime in. Since I have never moved a tank I will learn from your experience.

[rebekwl]

No, It's not drilled. I want to have one that is eventually, but the whole concept scares me for now!! We have an HOB overflow we will be using.

[Cassette87]

Awesome!! Cant wait to see the progress ps.. what are you doing with the 55?

[rebekwl]

We were planning on selling it on Craig's List or something. Hopefully we can get $150 or so for it. It's just the tank and stand since everything else will be transferred over to our new 90. I saw that you may be upgrading soon too!! Cool beans! Want my 55? Hehe, honestly though it's not very nice. The stand is too big for it and it doesn't have a canopy. We have a whole bunch of FW stuff we will sell with it, i.e. gravel, ornaments, stock lights, etc. Plus I think it's kind of a faaaaaar drive from IL to UT. You should look on craig's list and see what you can find. I see 55 gal tanks around here going for $100 all the time. We actually just bought one for $50 last week!! They don't usually come with extras, it all just depends on what you want I guess. GOOD LUCK!!

[Cassette87]

Hah, never hurts to ask Good luck with the upgrade! I'll be following the thread

[bluespotjawfish]

Reb,

LOL! Boy did I call this one or what!

When I did mine, the water pumped itself (Mag pump attached to tubing) and after I got that started I laid my base rock, then added my sand around it (this makes it so jawfish can't undermine and tip over your rockwork), then added the rest of the rock. If the water gets ahead of you just shut it down until you are ready to top it off (after all rocks and sand are in so you don't overflow). Gently mix the old sand with the new (if you lay the new sand on top it will suffocate the old sand).

I have several sizes of containers that would hold all your fish and corals, as well as your rock, and a 45 gallon brute for your water. You can pick out and borrow whatever you need. I may have a spare heater or two that you can also borrow if you need it. You will want some type of aeration and probably a heater in each container. I would keep everything in the containers until you are sure the temp, salinity, and pH are correct and stable. What you can see is less important than these factors, but usually by the time these are verified you can see pretty good in the tank too. Make sure you rinse the new sand really good. I wouldn't purposely rinse the old sand, but the gunk in it will be cleaned out in the process of moving it (just try and disturb it as little as possible). Of course the water you pump in should already be adjusted, so you just have to check everything and maybe tweak the heater once the setup is complete. I wouldn't worry about finalizing the aquascaping until the next day. I tackled half of the aquascaping at a time so I could think through the best way to put rocks together and how to group the corals.

Let me know if you want some help (weekend).

Looks like I should be saving you a few frags! Let me know what you might be interested in down the road.

Lorraine

[rebekwl]

Originally Posted by Cassette87

Hah, never hurts to ask Good luck with the upgrade! I'll be following the thread

You're certainly more than welcome to it, just don't think it would be quite worth it for you

[rebekwl]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

Reb,

LOL! Boy did I call this one or what!

When I did mine, the water pumped itself (Mag pump attached to tubing) and after I got that started I laid my base rock, then added my sand around it (this makes it so jawfish can't undermine and tip over your rockwork), then added the rest of the rock. If the water gets ahead of you just shut it down until you are ready to top it off (after all rocks and sand are in so you don't overflow). Gently mix the old sand with the new (if you lay the new sand on top it will suffocate the old sand).

I have several sizes of containers that would hold all your fish and corals, as well as your rock, and a 45 gallon brute for your water. You can pick out and borrow whatever you need. I may have a spare heater or two that you can also borrow if you need it. You will want some type of aeration and probably a heater in each container. I would keep everything in the containers until you are sure the temp, salinity, and pH are correct and stable. What you can see is less important than these factors, but usually by the time these are verified you can see pretty good in the tank too. Make sure you rinse the new sand really good. I wouldn't purposely rinse the old sand, but the gunk in it will be cleaned out in the process of moving it (just try and disturb it as little as possible). Of course the water you pump in should already be adjusted, so you just have to check everything and maybe tweak the heater once the setup is complete. I wouldn't worry about finalizing the aquascaping until the next day. I tackled half of the aquascaping at a time so I could think through the best way to put rocks together and how to group the corals.

Let me know if you want some help (weekend).

Looks like I should be saving you a few frags! Let me know what you might be interested in down the road.

Lorraine

Yes, you called it!! We REALLY need more space!! The rock has completely taken over the 55, I couldn't take it anymore

So I should mix the sand together under water then? Or should I try mixing it in a separate container first? I think the sand is the most complex thing for me, LOL. I should be going to pick up my RO/DI tonight and he is giving us some holding tanks to go with it. That will help a ton when it comes to getting the water ready. I have a ton of power heads/pumps that I could use to pump the water.

I would LOVE to come over and raid your fish closet We were planning on going out and buying a bunch of tubs and containers, that would probably just be in the way after the tranfer was done. Thanks SO much, you are such a great help!! I think the containers are all I would need though. I have a couple of extra heaters, power heads and air pumps. We will probably go out and buy the sand tonight, and will also be going to get the RO/DI. We have a very busy weekend ahead of us. You are more than welcome to come on ever and out and help us out if you want!! When would you want us to come by and pick up the containers?

I'm so excited, I can hardly wait to start! Oh, I LOVE frags too I have a little bit of everything, only 1 SPS though, and that was given to us. It's actually doing great now that the Turbo snails have decided to stop knocking it face down in the sand!!

[BrianCM]

If i were you i would try to drill it I would have 2 over flows. Then what kind of skimmer do you have you will probally need to upgrade. I like Deltec but they are pricy. I would also first put in the water then the rock as bluespotjawfish said. Then put in the old sand and then gently mix in the new do not cap it because it can be harmful to your live stock. then add the fish and corals a day later after everything has been running. Are you going to have a fuge. There are some great sump desings on Melevsreef.com - Welcome!. Good luck and congradulations on the upgrade. Now you can get a tang!

[BrianCM]

If i were you i would try to drill it I would have 2 over flows. Then what kind of skimmer do you have you will probally need to upgrade. I like Deltec but they are pricy. I would also first put in the water then the rock as bluespotjawfish said. Then put in the old sand and then gently mix in the new do not cap it because it can be harmful to your live stock. then add the fish and corals a day later after everything has been running. Are you going to have a fuge? There are some great sump desings on Melevsreef.com - Welcome!. Good luck and congradulations on the upgrade. Now you can get a tang!

[BrianCM]

Sry double post

[bluespotjawfish]

I'm home now.

I would put your old sand in the tank with water (easier to handle with water) and let it settle, then add the new and mix it in gently as you go.

[Couch]

Watching thread, still planning huge in wall upgrade when I get around to finishing my basement.

[bluespotjawfish]

Couch - So when's the party at your place?

Melanie - I've sent you a PM with my contact info in it. I assume you are out looking for water (or at this point putting a kid to bed).

Oh, don't forget towels! Need lots of towels!