I currently have a 16G bowfront w/ 96W (4 x24w) T5 w/ LED's, Aqua-C Remora Nano Skimmer, Eheim Liberty 100 HOB filter, 1 Koralia 1, 1 Koralia Nano, stealth heater, lots of Coral (softies, LPS, and 2 SPS), strawberry Crab, Red Serpent Star, True Percula, 2 Blue-Green Chromis, and a small Yellow Goby, w/ various snails and hermits.

I just rec'd a 25 Gallon Tall tank and a 20lb bag of new LS.

• I plan on removing the water into buckets, putting the LR into buckets, and the coral and fish into various bowls.
• I then plan on adding the exisitng sand to the new tank (fully cleaned tank) and then adding the new LS on top of it.
• I then plan on adding the rock back in along with the corals and fish.
• I then plan on staring the Koralias and HOB to get things flowing. After is settles down I plan on turning the skimmer on.

Does this sound like a good plan?

P.S. I know this sounds like alot in a 16Gallon tank (or 25 for that matter), but I have successfully maintained 0's for over 3 years on this tank with good old-fashioned water changes (5 gallons a week) and general husbandry.


Thanks,
Derek

Derek,

don't re-use old sand, unless you rinse it. You will be bringing up a ton of "stuff" when you disturb the sandbed, and it will cause a serious cycle in your new tank.

I would use all new sand, with maybe a cup of old sand (although it's not needed at all).

I thought the new live sand would cause more of a cycle than the old sand? I'm confused on that. The 20lb bag is not as much as I'd like to add...and have at least 15lbs in the old tank I want to use.

Derek

Bump

I'm only here at work for a bit more...so I REALLY need some clarity on this!!!! I want to start the transfer tonite!
PLEASE ADVISE....DEREK

Put your rockwork in first before your sand. Common mistake and pitfall. Otherwise your rockwork can be jeopardized if you end up adding any sand sifters or diggers.

I agree with this completely.
Just put the new sand in the bottom of the new tank, and add maybe 2 cups of the old sand, taking it from the top layer of the sandbed.
Other than that, everything else sounds good.
Congrats on the new tank, hope it works out well for you!

Hey Weetie!
20lbs and 2 Cups of old sand - is that enough?
I'll be starting a 6ga. pico in Dec. and I'll have time to cycle it using the old sand, i guess.

Derek


Derek

Bump for quick answer - again

Well, I like pretty shallow sandbeds, so I'd personally be happy with it.
That's me, though.
If I remember right, the 25 tall doesn't have a huge footprint cause it's so tall.
If this is correct, it's probably enough.
If it doesn't seem like enough to you, just get another small bag of dry sand and add it later.

Don't reuse the old sand.
It will have nasties in it that could create problems.