any tips for switching to a new tank...

[latsyrc]

We have a new tank that is almost ready for the move-in.... Does anyone have any advice for the big switch? We do not want to use the old substrate (crushed coral) or at least not much of it. We have bought live sand, but how do we best cycle our new tank for our old fish and our blue-leg hermits? Do we put a lot of our old tank water in w/new sand? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Of course we'll acclimate the little guys when the time comes...

Thanks in advance! :thanks

 

[TimSchmidt]

If the distance from one tank to the other isn't too far then I would use the same tank water ONLY because of all the parameters and then acclimation wouldn't be harsh on the fish. NOT because of the water being "cycled" (water doesn't contain any significant amount of the bacteria that complete the nitrogen cycle). Get the temps the same and let the sand settle before adding in the livestock.

 

[latsyrc]

Thanks, Tim. We are doing a water change this weekend, so i guess we'll aim for next week.

 

[reefman23]

I think the most important thing would be to make sure the LR is exposed to the air as little as possible to avoid die-off/cycle. Rinse the sand really well *unless* it is the sand that is bagged in water. The water has little bacteria in it however the more water you use from your old tank the less likely your levels will be off after the move... in other words if you use all or mostly new water, you will want to carefully test pH, salinity, alk, etc to make sure it matches the old water as close as possible.

HTH,

Jesse

 

[latsyrc]

thanks, Jesse

Also, how do you get the fish into the new tank, do you put 'em in a bag, then business as usual?

 

[TimSchmidt]

Bag or bucket works fine. I have a couple old salt buckets for my fish tank work. They work well enough.

 

[latsyrc]

Thanks so much, fellas

 

[TimSchmidt]

You're welcome.