Convert to a larger tank

Hi, I am one of those who started with a smaller (90 liter) tank and now plan to go for +/- 200 liter. I have read an article that the switch over can be done more or less as follows:

By filling the new tank 3/4 full of water and let it run for about 24 hours. Then test for pH and temperature and if no difference proceed with the move of your life rock and gravel and lastly your fish.

Can some one please tell me whether this sounds correct and what about coral/ Can it also be moved together with the fish? (I do not plan to run the old tank at the same time any longer). What about nitrite and nitrate levels at this stage?

Please advise.

 

How long has the tank been set up ?

many people prefer not to disturb the sand bed if the tank has been set up a while

so as you describe above is OK but just leave the last inch of water and the sand in the old tank and get new sand for the new tank

the parameter issues you mention should be minimal as long as you keep the rock wet during transfer and IMO dont mess with the sand you have

my order would be
holding tubs for live corals
move rock from od tank to new tank
replace corals
when the old tank has just the last inch of water in - thats when I transfer the fish to new tank as by this time they are really easy to catch and the water in the new tank has a lot of old water in it so acclimatation is easier

Steve

 

I agree with Steve. Shouldn't be bad at all. I'd do it the same way.

 

I have just upgraded from a 170 litre to 400 litre. I did it the slow way and set up the 400 from scratch as I'd need so much more live rock etc I'm in the process of moving fish across now... Slowly as to not disturb parameters too much. But good luck with the new setup

 

Steve, thanks for the advise - do I understand correct - shall I fill the new tank with water from the old tank as well? (the tank is now 10 months old)

 

I always did
provided the water quality of old water was good - low nitrates, other parameters acceptable etc

the trick is to get as much water out without disturbing to much, so its clean when it goes into the new tank

the corals can stand being above water level for short periods anyway
so I took my last tank down to below half way, and then started moving corals and rocks

as long as I was syphoning clear water, I continued to do so and add it to the new water
once it started getting cloudy due to moving rocks from base level thats when I stopped
and didnt use any more of the water

Steve

 

Thanks Steve I appreciate your advise.