Moving to a larger tank - advice on my approach please!

[djheywood]

I'm moving from a 26 gallon reef (1 1/2 years old, really stable. Only lots of corralline algae) which is 36 X 10 X 16 to a 65 gallon 36 X 18 X 24. I know a 4 foot tank would be better but I can't fit a 4 footer where the tank is going. I plan on setting up the 65 and putting in a good 3 inches of southdown, filling it with about 4 inches of water and let the water clear for a few days. Then I will remove all the corals, fish and rock from my 26 and as carefully as possible scoop out my existing DSB and place on top of the 3 inches of new southdown. I will then add more water, my live rock, coral, fish, and all the water from my 26 gallon. I figure it should be like doing a 50% water change to get everything moved over. I will have extra heaters and powerheads on hand in case the fish have to stay in buckets overnight.

Will the new tank go through algae blooms again, or a cycle? I don't think it will but I want some other opinions from people who have upgraded their tanks.

Thanks,

Brian

[golfish]

Brian,
Whats going on buddy? I haven't seen ya for awhile. Its about time you moved up to a bigger tank. No chance on getting a custom built tank? Maybe one that's wider?


I would setup the tank with the new sand and LR and let it run for a few months with a skimmer, maybe a few of those LOA or a couple NO bulbs and lots of water motion BEFORE adding the stuff from the old tank......

Or is the new tank going where the old tank is?


Do you have a canister filter? They work pretty good clearing a tank up after the southdown explosion. Let me know, I have one you can use.

Mark

[djheywood]

Hi Mark,

Ya I've been pretty busy lately. I'm at a new client now up at Universal Studios, so I don't have as much internet time

Here's the full deal. I'm still going for a 150+ when I move (whenver that is with the stuff going on right now) but in the meantime I need something bigger. I'm busting at the seams in my 26. I have a leather that touches the front and back at the same time! Anyway The idea is not to spend a lot of $$$ on things like a stand because I will not be using it in the future so the tank will go on a dresser I have that is 44 inches long. It sucks, but it's too short for a 4ft tank. (I'm assuming I don't want 2 inches on either side of the stand hanging off. (Do you agree? Although maybe I can put like a 1 inch plywood under the entire tank, spread out the weight?)

so I figure the biggest I can get is the 36 X 18 X 24. I never looked into getting a custom acrylic tank built but I figured it would be more than the $289 I will be paying for the new tank. Do you know anyone that does a price quote on custom acrylic? Ideally 44 inches would be perfect, but it depends on the cost.

Unfortunately the new tank is going where the old tank is so I figured I have maybe a few days at most. I don't have a canister so I would definitely be interested in taking you up on the loaner. Anyway let me know what you think about the tank stand situation. Talk to you soon.

Brian

[dattack]

I would suggest getting a cube tank? A 2 ftx 2ft x2ft tank is about 60 gallons and gives nice depth in aquascaping. Using a 250 W MH would be ideal over this tank. Well if you intent on using the 65 gallon and you dresser is pretty sturdy, you can like you said put a piece of plywood across to distribute the weight. It should hold fine if the dresser is not a cheap kind.