New Tank Upgrade- Help needed

[Hazel6880]

Hi Everyone,

I currently have:
42 Gallon Oceanic Hex
Emperor 280 filter
Aqua C Remora Skimmer w Maxijet 1200
24" Coralife Aqualight pro
30lbs Live rock
Florida Crushed Coral
1 Featherduster
2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Coral Beauty
1 Neon Goby
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Orange Spotted Goby
2 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab
3 Snails
6 Hermit Crabs
1 Pajama Cardinal
Cycled by 5/16/06

I am upgrading to a 75 Gallon All Glass standard tank. I have heard live sand is better for nitrates reduction, which is the only hump I can't get over yet and since I want corals I feel this might be a really good chance to start over. I also plan on buying a tap water filter.

My questions is: Does anyone have any suggestions as to which live sand is the best? Any other suggestions you may have are also more than welcomed and definitely appreciated.

Thanks!

[tray262]

First I would say just buy a RO/DI one can be had for about $150. Second, as far as the live sand goes. Many people just use a cup full of sand from a TRUSTED hobbist to seed there own sand. All you sand live become live. The sand you have in your tank may be "Live sand already" There are a lot of threads about Deep Sand Beds I'd take a look at that. Also I don't think you're lighting is going to work for the new tank also.

Good luck.,
Tray
And welcome to the site.

[Hazel6880]

Hi Tray,

Thanks so much for your response. I live in an apartment and don't have plumbing next to my tank... I'm not exactly sure on how the RO/DI units work but they look like they need plumbing attached to them from a close by area. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I did read that I can use the crushed coral to seed my new tank but read some opinions stating the coral is a nitrate factory since it is not fine enough to filter the bacteria properly, where as live sand is better for this. Again please correct me if I'm wrong.
Can you tell me why you think my lighting won't work with the new tank? not enough light? do I need to buy an additional one maybe?


Thanks again!

[PDAJunkie]

I would agree on the RO/DI unit. RO will produce water that will be more pure then a tap water filter. Additionally, with a 75 gal tank and the recommended water changes, top off ect., the cost of replaceing filters will soon exceed the cost of an RO unit. Just my 2 cents worth. Keep us informed how the upgrade goes.

[tray262]

Does your unit have a washer/dryer ? The Ro hooks to a fauset link a laundry sink, or a hose bib. And it will certainly pay for it's self. As far as the lighting goes, is this really a reef tank, or a fish tank ? If it's a fish tank then anything works, but if it's not then you should proabally upgrade. Look for help on the lighting in the light section. I still think that if your tank is running good then you can seed the new sand just fine. Or go buy one bg of live sand. Good luck

[Ninong]

If your present light fixture is a 24" fixture, it won't really work very well for a 48" tank. What do you have in your present fixture? Is it one of those with a single double-ended metal halide lamp plus two power compact fluorescent lamps?

Ideally you would want a light fixture that is the same size as your tank: 48".

I would not use any of the crused coral in the new tank. I would start over with new aragonite sand. If you live in the NYC area, you should be able to find cheap aragonite sand at Home Depot. The problem is that it is a seasonal item sold in the Garden Department and they may or may not have it in stock at this time of the year. Look for Oldcastle Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean. It should run around $5 or less for a 50-lb bag. It must say "Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean" on the bag.

A tapwater filter is better than nothing at all but the problem is that the cartridges don't last very long and the water they produce is never as low in TDS as the water that comes out of an R.O./D.I. unit.

[Hazel6880]

I do not have a washer/ dryer unit in my apartment unfortunately. I plan to get corals after I setup the new 75 gallon tank. The reason I got the coralife was b/c I was told that I could have whatever corals I wanted with it and wouldn't need to upgrade, but I guess that also ties in with Ninong's reply... it's not long enough..which makes total sense... doh!!... oh well I guess I can always put in ebay.

Thanks again for your replies!! I will try to get a hold of that sand that was suggested as well.

[CSeaSee]

Instead of scrapping your whole lighting scheme, you could always just get another 24" fixture, and put one 24" over one half of the tank, and another 24" over the other half... I've got mine mounted in the ceiling in my apt- Home Depot has the stuff you'd need. Just a thought.