New Tank Help (transfer)

I've got my 25G rectangle with fish, LR, and corals. I've been kicking around the idea of a second pico tank and various other options. Finally settled on getting a new tank, something like a 36G bowfront and then transfer my stuff into that new tank and build/buy a new sump and such.

What are people's thoughts on how to perform this transfer? Does the new tank have to cycle if I'm simply transferring over my stuff?

Bigger problem: the new tank has to go in teh same spot as the old one!

Comments? Suggestions? Just trying to figure out the logistics at this point. Once I've got that down, I'll have to find which tank I'll want. Trying to reuse my 24" AquaticLife CF. The four legs are adjustable and it would save a lot of money to reuse this light. If I need new light, I can always buy LEDs to supplement the light.

Thanks in advance!

 

Ideally the new tank should cycle, but since you have cured LR you could go the soft cycle route and do water changes until the biological filter is built up (water changes do not prolong the cycle). You are just going to have to check parameters daily probably for the 1st two weeks and do smaller, routine water changes.

I would however get new sand and seed it with some of the old sand. And start with a ratio of 50/50 new and used to water, although the water column does not hold a noticeable amount of nutrifying bacteria to make a difference.

Everyone has their own take on it, but I have done it this way a number of times.

 

Thanks I appreciate the feedback. I'll likely get all new sand and just save the sand in the existing DT for my sump fuge. I think I want sand that isn't so fine as what I have right now.

So I should expect the LR to have some cycling in the new tank then? Should I leave the fish in my old tank until everything is done? Just trying to understand what to do step by step. This whole process is still new to me.

 

In regards to putting the new tank where the old one sits. You are going to put most of your water in 5 gallon buckets. Add your fish to one bucket, inverts in another.

Slide your old tank out of the way and put your new tank in its place. Add about 10 gallons of your old water to your new tank. Add your new sand. Then put a plate in on your sand.

Pour another 5 gallons of your old water in ( hitting the plate, to keep from stirring up the sand).

Add all of your live rock, making sure that your base pieces are pushed into the sand really good. Add the fish and inverts, then the rest of your old water.

Keep the plate in there until you are done. Add a good cup of your old sand. Mix your new water and add it until the tank is full.

You will need more live rock, depending on how much you have now. And you are done. Monitor you perimeters. They may go up a little bit, but not enough to hurt anything. Do water changes to get it down if your perimeters go up.