couple questions...

Hey all, I currently have a 30gal and a 20long both fowlr setups except for any hitchhiking corals (mushrooms, polyps, and a leather). not exactly ready to take the step towards corals yet since im still trying to learn as much as possible, but anyway, for future planning and eventually going to a reef setup ive decided i want to condense both these tanks, lr, sand and fish to a 55 gal i currently have as an African setup. After i sell off my remaining cichlids, i want to clean out the tank well and prep it for the change to salt.

Anyway, i was wondering if i could use most of the same water from the 20 and 30 gals? i was thinking 75% old water and 25% new water, so in theory its nothing more then a water change. The LR i have is cured (its been in my two other tanks, maybe 75-80lbs, depending on how it looks i may add a little more but i would do that over the course of the next few months very little at a time) and ill be using about 30lbs LS mixed with non-live reef sand to fill in the bottom. Will i have to worry about another cycle? I do have a small bottle of "cycle" i can add to the tank to speed up any mini cycles or anything that may happen. is this a good idea? Also, if i do this, i currently have a Coral beauty angelfish, Neon Dotty back, Maroon Clown, a false perc., and a yellow tail damsel (i probably wont include him in the 55 though). eventually once i start aquaculturing copepods and have a decent population in my tank id like to try a mandarin. so my next question, would i be able to add these to the new tank the same day i set it up? of course i would acclimate them all again before adding to the tank. also, would i be overstocking with the above mentioned fish? would i be able to add any more? As for filtration, to start ill only have 2 biowheel 200's and a canister filter (not sure of the type, i bought off a friend, for the past year or so its been able to run my 55 with 17 cichlids with crystal clear water). would i be able to use the same media i have in the canister now? should i buy new? what are the ideal medias to use in a canister filter for salt? from what ive read bioballs just turn into a nitrate factory, is this correct? in jan or feb. ill eventually build a sump/fuge below the tank. the 55 is already drilled at the bottom but it has been covered with a glass plate and sealed. i will take it all off and add a bulkhead to the one corner (this will be done when i do the change just so its ready for jan or feb.). umm....i guess thats all for now , thank you all in advance for you help!

 

First off, welcome to 3reef. I hope that you never used any copper based chemicals for the 55. Copper tends to leave behind residue which is not good for SW. Remember that the water doesnt cycle, only the LR and LS.

Any time you add more LR, LS, fish and even corals, you will go through a small cycle. It doesnt matter what you put in the tank to speed up the process. Which brings me to my next suggestion, NEVER dose anything that will "speed up" anything. Let Mother Nature(MN) take its course.
IMO, you can add the fish the same day at the same time. You are basiclly only changing the tank and adding some more water. I dont see an issue. You may have an issue by having two different clowns in one tank, only time will tell. IMO, you would not be overstocking with the fish that you have mentioned. As far as your Q about bio wheels and canister filters, I really cant help you b/c I have never had either of those units. I personaly like sumps and refugiums. I can only tell you that I would start by cleaning everything REAL good and changing all the media for a SW application, if needed.
I personaly would wait until Jan. for the move. That way, you do everything right the first time and are able to save some money to get everything you need. Good luck and keep us posted.......with pics of course.....;D Luna

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>>

 

Your filtration should be fine. I have a 55gal. and only use a marineland 60 on it. I just use it for carbon and as a mechanical filter. Just remember to keep them clean, the pads too. As for media, if you will have a fuge, you will only need to run carbon. If you don't, you may want to run some phosphate media, it's up to you and your tank needs. Also, welcome and good luck.

 

Ha, thanks. ive actually been lurking around here for some time, just reading and learning as much as i can. No, ive never used any medications in the 55 (never had a need to), but i do plan to either bleach the tank or at least clean it well with vinegar.

ok, thank you. i just wasnt sure if the change would disrupt anything with the lr or ls, like kill off a lot of bacteria, microorganisms etc. thus causing a spike in ammonia or nitrites. ill probably end up testing the water daily anyway just so i can keep an eye on it and monitor what, if anything, is going on.

Yeah, ive read about the clown issues, they are both still very small (about 1-1 1/4") and get along great, they are always right near each other, even as they sleep (adorable really lol). but yes, i know to keep a close eye on them esp. as they grow older. Should i consider adding another perc.? or do you think that will only add to any potential problems?

Well as for now, its not so much the money as it is having the time to build a sump. I work seasonally (pool building/technician) full time and take classes in the evening four nights a week. This is really my main reason for breaking down the cichlid tank and condensing the two smaller s.w tanks. its a lot of work to care for all three tanks. come jan/feb. im laid off, so i have no work, and for jan. i have no school. this would give me plenty of time to build a sump, monitor it and make any adjustments so its running properly. in the meantime i was planning to get everything down on paper as to how ill build this sump/fuge.

and as for media in the biowheels, i just use the pads that come with it, extra carbon and filter floss. my media question was for the canister...i dont know the things are called in their now, but i have bioballs, filter floss, a sponge, these white tube things that came with it, and these brown balls (about the size of a pea) that came with it also. even after i setup the sump/fuge ill keep these three filters running anyway, i mean it certainly cant hurt anything, eh?