Tank Upgrade Questions

[Ian Baxter]

I currently have a 65g mixed reef and I am looking to upgrade to a 120g display (plus sump). I will be using all new sand and adding rock which will most likely be dry. Can I just move everything over, or will the new tank need to cycle first?

 

[Dom]

If you move old rock over to the new system, I believe this is called seeding. You won't have to cycle as the bacteria in the rock from the old tank will continue to do so in the new tank.

But I would go with new sand. If not, THOROUGHLY rinse the old stuff.

 

[Ian Baxter]

If you move old rock over to the new system, I believe this is called seeding. You won't have to cycle as the bacteria in the rock from the old tank will continue to do so in the new tank.

But I would go with new sand. If not, THOROUGHLY rinse the old stuff.

Okay, I wasn’t sure if the rock would be enough for the larger tank. I’m definitely using new sand.

 

[Uncle99]

Okay, I wasn’t sure if the rock would be enough for the larger tank. I’m definitely using new sand.

A cup of that old sand would be beneficial IMM.
Sand has a large surface area which also contains bacteria which can help seed that new bed.

 

[edsbeaker]

If you are adding all of the live rock from your old tank and the same livestock will be transferred over you are basically having the same bioload that the rocks were already filtering in the smaller tank. That’s why you won’t have to cycle it.

Just move slowly when increasing the bioload so the rocks can keep up with the increasing bioload.

 

[Ian Baxter]

If you are adding all of the live rock from your old tank and the same livestock will be transferred over you are basically having the same bioload that the rocks were already filtering in the smaller tank. That’s why you won’t have to cycle it.

Just move slowly when increasing the bioload so the rocks can keep up with the increasing bioload.

Perfect, thanks.

 

[BryanM]

I currently have a 65g mixed reef and I am looking to upgrade to a 120g display (plus sump). I will be using all new sand and adding rock which will most likely be dry. Can I just move everything over, or will the new tank need to cycle first?

I just moved to a new tank, and I can say you can definitely use new sand and old established live rock and move everything in short order.

I wish I had put some of my live sand in my sump, so I would suggest doing that.

I also wish I had rinsed the new substrate.

 

[Ian Baxter]

I just moved to a new tank, and I can say you can definitely use new sand and old established live rock and move everything in short order.

I wish I had put some of my live sand in my sump, so I would suggest doing that.

I also wish I had rinsed the new substrate.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!