[chriswtx]

So I have a 55gal tank(with a 30gal sump) and a 40gal tank that I want to turn into 1 large tank. I just bought a 225gal tank. Will I need to cycle the new tank if I use all the live rocks and sand(90lbs of live rock and 60lbs of live sand) and all the water(about 110gals) out of the old tanks and add new saltwater to top it off?? Both of these tanks have been up and running for over 2 years without problems. I was planning on starting out by adding about 120gals of saltwater made with RO water into the new tank, let in circulate and airate for a few days and come up to temp, then transfer all the other water and rocks etc into the new tank..Sound like an OK plan??

Thanks,
Chris

[charlie]

If you move your existing sand beds you may run into a problem because you are gonna disturb some real nasty stuff. I think you would be better off to get new sand and seed it with a little sand from both tanks. The rock will be fine in the move. HTH

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

You may want to consider the rock quantity. In the 225 the normal quantity of rock would be about 400 pounds. With only a total of 90 pounds, your live rock quantity is very low. The tank might look a bit bare. But if you don't care about nitrates and you don't expect the rock to perform all the biological filtration, then you'll probably need to add a biological filter of some sort. If you are setting up a reef tank this would be a different matter.

As Charlie mentioned, old sand can bring with it some headaches. But you'll need more of this anyway for your new tank, right?

Before there is any transfer of water, the old and new water must be the same temperature as you are planning on, but it also must be the same pH and the same specific gravity. Make sure the old and new match.

If you choose to add more live rock and more sand at the time of setup then your plan needs modification. If no new sand or live rock will be put in, then you'll need to get a biological filter going and have it established (running properly) before the transfer to avoid a spike in ammonia or nitrites.

[charlie]

You may want to consider the rock quantity. In the 225 the normal quantity of rock would be about 400 pounds. With only a total of 90 pounds, your live rock quantity is very low. The tank might look a bit bare. But if you don't care about nitrates and you don't expect the rock to perform all the biological filtration, then you'll probably need to add a biological filter of some sort. If you are setting up a reef tank this would be a different matter.

Why would you put 400 lbs of rock in a 225? I think with the rock that is available to us now 200 lbs would be plenty. Pardon me if I disagree.

[chriswtx]

I was planning on adding another 100lbs of live rock later. I'm also going to switch over all the biological filter material and live rock in my sump from the old tank to the new one at the same time..Right now the fish population is going to be small. 1 Panther Grouper(14" long), 1 yellow tang, 2 Yellow damsels, 1 Clown, 1 brittle star and 3 hermit crabs. I am going to partition off about 100 gallons of the tank with a perforated sheet of 1/4 plexi glass to keep the Grouper by himself.

[leebca]

Now that is one big grouper. Did you raise it up to that size?

Good idea on the rock addition. But keep in mind that it isn't the number of fishes you have (nor their size) it is the bio-load they put on the system that is important.

[leebca]

Charlie,

You have the right to disagree. However most aquarists agree that the proper quantity of live rock is two pounds per gallon of display tank volume IF the goal is for the rock to perform both denitrification and nitrification. This assumes normal to high-normal bioload which most novice and intermediate hobbyists put into their FOWLR systems. In a reef aquarium, much less is needed in my opinion.

[chriswtx]

Originally Posted by leebca

Now that is one big grouper. Did you raise it up to that size?

Good idea on the rock addition. But keep in mind that it isn't the number of fishes you have (nor their size) it is the bio-load they put on the system that is important.

Yep, He was about 1 1/2" long when I got him about 3 years ago.. I was just thinking that I'm not changing the biological load from what it already has been for the last 2 years until I get more rock and feel confortable that the new tank is doing well...

[charlie]

Originally Posted by leebca

Charlie,

You have the right to disagree. However most aquarists agree that the proper quantity of live rock is two pounds per gallon of display tank volume IF the goal is for the rock to perform both denitrification and nitrification. This assumes normal to high-normal bioload which most novice and intermediate hobbyists put into their FOWLR systems. In a reef aquarium, much less is needed in my opinion.

I was thinking reef, pardon me, forgot this was the FO forum.

[chriswtx]

Pics of the tank, stank and sump. Its dirty, I'm cleaning it tonight and I still need to build a hood for it...

[charlie]

Is all the plumbing internal or do you have to run some up the back?

[chriswtx]

all internal..

[weez1959]

I'd love to see a pic of the grouper, I'm always enticed when I see them but I know better than to believe my LFS who insists they will never get bigger than 6" in a 75 gallon tank, LOL What a crock!!...

[chriswtx]

This is him in my 40gal...Not the best pic though..

[weez1959]

Oh my god, he's big! What does he eat in one day?
I'll bet he's counting the days it's taking to set up the new tank!

[chriswtx]

I buy frozen jumbo shrimp from Walmart. He gets 1 a day... About every other month he gets a treat of live gold fish...

[leebca]

I strongly urge you to stop feeding it goldfish. Freshwater fish can cause digestive problems and liver problems in marine carnivorous fishes. You don't want to feed something that isn't from the sea.

[chriswtx]

Not to many, 1 or 2 every other month. He likes the chase..

[wozza]

He likes the chase..

Then get some live MARINE fish.
It hasnt got to be ornimental like fish we keep, go to your local fishing tackle shop they sometimes sell live bait for sea fishing.


james