New 65gallon tank

I haven't posted here in awhile and actually have been doing minimal maintenance and no additions to my reef due to life being too busy. My wife and I have been house hunting for months and ought a new home that needs LOTS of work. I figured to move a 46 gallon reef without another tank set up would be extremely difficult so I bought a 65 gallon show tank the other day.

I swore I would go sump but de to money and time it is not drilled. It is only another step to an eventual much larger tank down the road when time and money allow me to go 100+gallon. I chose a 65 because I like the 18 inch depth and the look of the 25inch height. It is only 36 wide which allows me to use my current lights and even my heater, filter, and mp10w will all work. I have 3 of the vortechs which should be good I believe without getting an mp40.

As for the move I plan on filling it this weekend with new water and after a day or so adding the filter from the old tank along with a few cups of sand and whatever like rock I can transfer that doesn't have corals encrusting it. Next weekend I will move the rest of the live rock along with the corals and fish. Hopefully doing it this way prevents any cycle issues.

I built the frame of the stand today and will plywood it tomorrow. Used 2X4s for the top and bottom and 2X6s for most of the vertical supports except the front middle which is a 4X4. I also made it so final height will be 36-37inch depending on trim. No more bending over to look at the tank!!

 

Well a 65 is still a nice upgrade from a 46 either way. Your plan sounds excellent as far as moving over the rock and some sand first. This should indeed minimize the cycle.

 

Sounds like you have a great plan in place. I'm dealing with the same situation right now; moving tanks and moving houses at the same time. Fun!

 

Well added a few more studs to the stand Along with plywood to the back that I drills plug holes in. Also added the pine top and bottom on before setting the stand up and filling the tank. I will finish te 3 sides when time allows since I can access all 3 sides without an issue. Sucks that I can't have it all done before hand but time doesn't allow it. After its all built I will have to transfer everything back to the 46 bow to stain the stand and then reset up the 65. We want to refinish the hardwood floors and take off the wood paneling in the room so it WILL happen someday just don't now when.

Forgot that I don't have a spare heater for this tank so that's kinda a problem that will be fixed soon. Also forgt that when you build your ow non particle board stand it weighs a freaks TON!!

 

Move plans sound good.