Newbie tank upgrade

SubyRS25 · 05-20-2008, 01:11 PM

So I have a 20L tank and am getting a 46bow soon (great deal) and will be looking to convert at some point. So with the larger tank i will need more rock and sand than i have but i'm pretty sure i can get it from some local reefers. So here is my plan.

Set the tank up with some seed water from my tank and new mixed water and the new LR/LS needed to balance the tank ~1.5lbs/gal LR and probably another 40lbs of LS (i think i have 40 now). Let the sand settle for a day or two then kick on the flow. And let it cycle. After cycle transfer sand and rock and let settle leaving fish in old tank with filters and heater. Then transfer fish to complete.

A few questions:

In disturbing my sand bed from transferring, will that trigger a mini-cycle?
In setting up the new tank with the new (to me) LR/LS to cycle will there be die off because of no Ammonia load (I realize there will be some die-off due to hitting atmosphere, sponged and what not)? If so should i accelerate with some deli shrimp or what have you?
Will tranferring my tank water more regularly help ie 1-2 gal a day over the first week?

How does my plan look? Any and all input would be appreciated.

vdituri · 05-20-2008, 04:39 PM

If it was my tank, I wouldn't transfer the sand from the old tank.
Too much of a chance of causing disaster in the old tank with a new cycle and disturbing stuff in bottom layer that should be left undisturbed.

Everything else sounds good.
Setup new tank
Add Sand and rocks.
If you want to transfer a handful of sand from your old tank to kick off the cycle great.
Add your deli shrimp.
And test, test test. Water changes as needed.
Then move 1 fish over at a time with a week or 2 in between.

05-20-2008, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
SubyRS25 Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Boston Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment	Newbie tank upgrade So I have a 20L tank and am getting a 46bow soon (great deal) and will be looking to convert at some point. So with the larger tank i will need more rock and sand than i have but i'm pretty sure i can get it from some local reefers. So here is my plan. Set the tank up with some seed water from my tank and new mixed water and the new LR/LS needed to balance the tank ~1.5lbs/gal LR and probably another 40lbs of LS (i think i have 40 now). Let the sand settle for a day or two then kick on the flow. And let it cycle. After cycle transfer sand and rock and let settle leaving fish in old tank with filters and heater. Then transfer fish to complete. A few questions: In disturbing my sand bed from transferring, will that trigger a mini-cycle? In setting up the new tank with the new (to me) LR/LS to cycle will there be die off because of no Ammonia load (I realize there will be some die-off due to hitting atmosphere, sponged and what not)? If so should i accelerate with some deli shrimp or what have you? Will tranferring my tank water more regularly help ie 1-2 gal a day over the first week? How does my plan look? Any and all input would be appreciated. __________________ ______________________________ 20g - 27lbs LR - 40lbs LS - Aquaclear50 2 clowns - 6 scarlet hermits - 2 emarld crabs - 1 snail my tank site

05-20-2008, 04:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,758 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Newbie tank upgrade If it was my tank, I wouldn't transfer the sand from the old tank. Too much of a chance of causing disaster in the old tank with a new cycle and disturbing stuff in bottom layer that should be left undisturbed. Everything else sounds good. Setup new tank Add Sand and rocks. If you want to transfer a handful of sand from your old tank to kick off the cycle great. Add your deli shrimp. And test, test test. Water changes as needed. Then move 1 fish over at a time with a week or 2 in between. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

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