Changing tanks ?

[mozer67]

I'm getting ready to switch tanks and had a couple questions. I'm going to put new caribsea arag alive sand in new tank, should I keep any of old sand and mix in with new? How much of the water should I use to put in new tank? Thanks for any input !

[B16acrx1988]

When I did my changeover I used all new sand and all new water with no ill effects.

[jamescstein]

Your bacteria live in the rock and sand not in the water. That said, it really depends on your bio load and filtration. If you are relying solely on the sand and rock then changing the sand out might be an issue. That said the arag alive stuff is supposedly pre-seeded with bacteria so you should be fine.

 

I might do a daily ammonia test for a week or so until I was sure I didn't get a mini cycle. If you do, then of course more frequent water changes.

[vuqchu]

I would not use any of the old sand. Try to use as much clean water as possible from the old tank. Then move the rocks over with the new sand that you are planning to use. You shouldn't have a mini cycle if there is enough of the old water and the rocks. Do not use water from the old tank that's disturbed at the bottom. Also have a lot of freshly made water ready to add after you transfer everything over. Look at it as a larger water change in a new tank. Good luck

[Toon87]

I would not use the old sand. You could even move the tank and keep it bare bottom for a couple of weeks then add the new sand. If you get a mini cycle it's easier to clean up without the sand. Old water is not needed IMO. Just add some extra bacteria (had great results with microbe lift special blend).

 

I have done al methods and found the above method the easiest. That being said i still have a tank at the office with sand and live rock from a friend that had a leak in his tank. Had some phos and nitrate problems(po4 in rocks too) but still going strong two years later. Costwise in the end... new sand and rocks back then would have been cheaper as al the rowaphos etc i've used