Gonna get a new tank....

i have decided that i am going to get an all glass 33 gallon long tank. it's 48'' L X 13'' H X 12'' W. This will allow me to keep my 48'' T5's and get way more light penetration being that it is about half the height of my 55, plus i used to have a 20 Long and i loved it. During this change up i will be setting up my 30 High sump finally. Anyway my question is... My water quality in my 55 is pristine so........ I was wondering if i put live sand in the 33gal (i have crushed coral in the 55 and don't want it ANYMORE) and then put about 25 gallons of water in the 33 out of my 55, then mix up the rest with new saltwater, what kind of a cycle am i looking at, if any at all??

 

It will depend more upon what type of sand and rock you put in. If you put in pre cured rock it will lessen your cycle a lot but if you put in standard rock it is still going to have die off and need to establish bacteria. Your water will help to some degree because there is some bacteria free floating in the water but it may not even show a measurable difference.

 

Is the lighting the only reason for the tank size change? T5's in a Nova fixture should penetrate a 55 just fine unless you really want to keep SPS on the bottom of the tank then you might need a better fixture or a shallower tank.

The majority of your bacteria is on your rock and in your sand, you didn't mention what you're doing with that in the move, I assume you're just moving that all over too? If you move that I wouldn't expect a lot of a cycle but there may be a little one.

I would actually probably start with rinsed dry sand in the new tank. I think you'll have less of a chance at a cycle than using some "live" sand that might have had some die-off in it. That's just speculation though, maybe someone with some experience can chime in.

 

Will be move around 80 lbs of live rock too. Crushed coral is in the current tank gotta go with sand this time. I think I've decided on some suger fine sand that I will rinse well first. I think I can get away with no cycle. Just want a shallow tank again mostly for aesthetics. Tank should arrive in a week or so and I will start then! I'm sure lots of pics will follow!!

 

If your moving your live rock over you should expect little or no cycle. I have moved my tank into new tanks twice now with no cycle either time.

 

Sounds good to me, good luck!

 

Let us know what kind of cycle you end up with... so we know for future reference.

 

Will do!!!!