[jkeithh1969]

What is a general guideline for moving corals (soft corals, zoos, yellow polyps) to my new tank once it is set up? Everything has outgrown my 29 gallon and now I am upgrading to a 75 gallon, but I don't want to rush and put everything in the new tank too soon. Thanks for any input you may have.

-Keith

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by jkeithh1969

What is a general guideline for moving corals (soft corals, zoos, yellow polyps) to my new tank once it is set up? Everything has outgrown my 29 gallon and now I am upgrading to a 75 gallon, but I don't want to rush and put everything in the new tank too soon. Thanks for any input you may have.

-Keith

Once the tank has cycled properly, and assuming you have seeded the new tank with some water from the old tank, I'd say you could add those items right away. Soft corals aren't as needy as stonies when it comes to system age. Just make sure your parameters are stable before you transfer anything.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Sueet

Once the tank has cycled properly, and assuming you have seeded the new tank with some water from the old tank, I'd say you could add those items right away. Soft corals aren't as needy as stonies when it comes to system age. Just make sure your parameters are stable before you transfer anything.

Thanks for your reply. I am moving almost 2/3 of the live sand and most of the water. My concern is because of the difference in sizes of the tanks, I will have to use quite a bit of "new" water.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by jkeithh1969

Thanks for your reply. I am moving almost 2/3 of the live sand and most of the water. My concern is because of the difference in sizes of the tanks, I will have to use quite a bit of "new" water.

Yikes, be VERY careful moving the sand... really, you don't want to move more than the (approximately) top inch or so ..... there can be some really nasty surprises if you go any deeper than that.

Hmm..... The way you are putting this, makes me think that perhaps you are planning on just setting up the big tank and transferring the small tank/inhabitants immediately? I would recommend strongly against that. You should (if you can) set up the bigger tank, cycle it with nothing live in it, and then do the transfer. If space is critical, meaning like, you have to take down the old tank to put up the new, then you should at the VERY least have plenty of saltwater mixed up and aged for at least a few days.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Sueet

Yikes, be VERY careful moving the sand... really, you don't want to move more than the (approximately) top inch or so ..... there can be some really nasty surprises if you go any deeper than that.

Hmm..... The way you are putting this, makes me think that perhaps you are planning on just setting up the big tank and transferring the small tank/inhabitants immediately? I would recommend strongly against that. You should (if you can) set up the bigger tank, cycle it with nothing live in it, and then do the transfer. If space is critical, meaning like, you have to take down the old tank to put up the new, then you should at the VERY least have plenty of saltwater mixed up and aged for at least a few days.

Actually I have moved the inhabitants into a 30 gallon rubbermaid container with the skimmer and a small hang-on power filter running. The lights are draped over it so they can get good lighting (but in a way as to not have to worry about the fixture falling into the water). Do you think the inhabitants will be ok in the container until I can cycle the new tank?

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by jkeithh1969

Actually I have moved the inhabitants into a 30 gallon rubbermaid container with the skimmer and a small hang-on power filter running. The lights are draped over it so they can get good lighting (but in a way as to not have to worry about the fixture falling into the water). Do you think the inhabitants will be ok in the container until I can cycle the new tank?

Hmm... Probably, assuming you don't have any particularly sensitive types. In this situation tho, I would recommend a boost for the cycling time, buy some bottled bacteria (it comes with many names... only one I can think of right now is called Cycle) At least that might help cut down on your cycle time. Also, adding some live rock to the new tank in addition to your cycling agent (dead cocktail shrimp et al) Also, trading small portions of the tank water with the container every couple days would probably help.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by Sueet

Hmm... Probably, assuming you don't have any particularly sensitive types. In this situation tho, I would recommend a boost for the cycling time, buy some bottled bacteria (it comes with many names... only one I can think of right now is called Cycle) At least that might help cut down on your cycle time. Also, adding some live rock to the new tank in addition to your cycling agent (dead cocktail shrimp et al) Also, trading small portions of the tank water with the container every couple days would probably help.

I will try that. Thank you for all of your suggestions. The idea of moving all of this is a little daunting.