Bioload when moving to a new tank

[jabeuy]

3 related questions here:

 

1)

I'm gonna be moving from a 10g to a 30g sometime soon. If I keep the same amount of live rock and same amount of livestock, I'm thinking the extra volume of water won't do harm, if anything it'll put an ease on the bioload. I'm assuming there wont be a cycle right?

 

2)

If I add dry rock to the new tank, I'm assuming there won't be a spike in anything. So I can just add like 20lbs in at once. Is that the right thinking?

 

3)

Also, related to moving tanks...should I reuse my sand? It'll only be around 4 months old. I read on one of the threads on here to stir up the sand and siphon out the detritus. But my sand has a lot of pods all over it that I don't want to lose in the process.

 

 

If it makes any difference, I dont run a skimmer or any filtration on my current 10g, and I plan to continue on like that initially after the move.

 

Thanks

[D Z]

I would suggest not re-using your sand, as when you dig it up, it could release some nasty stuff. I personally just would not risk it. Also, make sure you soak your dry rock in RODI for at least a couple days and test the phosphates on that water before doing the transfer.

[jabeuy]

I would suggest not re-using your sand, as when you dig it up, it could release some nasty stuff. I personally just would not risk it. Also, make sure you soak your dry rock in RODI for at least a couple days and test the phosphates on that water before doing the transfer.

 

Thanks. That sounds good. What about the pods? I guess they'll come back eventually in the new tank...

[metrokat]

Use your old sand to seed the new. Transferring some of it to the new tank is not a bad idea at all.

[jabeuy]

So any thoughts on the 1st question?

There shouldn't be any spike if moving contents of a 10g to a 30g right?

[jabeuy]

Ok from what I've read online, the bioload should be the same if I move all the existing contents over, and not add anything new.

 

Before adding additional dry rock, it's best to soak it in some RO water first, to leach out any phosphates. Then add it in slowly. Even better would be to try to cycle it separately as well if you can.

[my_sons_reef]

When I started my tank it was actually set up and running by the previous owner. I left the sand bed with a little water to keep it moist and added my new Black sand on top and refilled it with water. I actually think it was one of the best things I've done for my tank. I didn't have a huge nitrate spike and I had all the good bacteria to seed the new sand.

[MarieH]

I just transfered my one year old sand bed. I didn't see any sense in not using it. I just kept a few inches of water in the bottom of the old tank used a spaghetti strainer and lifted the sand. I put in the tank water from my old tank and threw in my old heater. placed back my rock and added new salt water. I had pods on the glass next evening. I kept my fish and corals in a ten gallon with the filter and nefarious from my old tank. Next day I added new base rock and put everything back. No cycle but I did add macrobacter7 for the first couple days. having an ammonia lock product on hand might be a good idea. I made a mental note for next time. However it's a week tomorrow and all is well. corals open and fish out and happy. good luck.

 

Floss not nefarious lol..spellchecker oops