how much rock to cycle a new tank?

iansfishy · #1 05-12-2009, 12:17 AM

So Im starting my new 180, and have a couple tanks already. I have to switch everything slowly to the 180 ( only home one day a week) and was wondering how much live rock I can cycle the new tank with ( 20 lbs , 5 lbs ? ) Im putting about 10-20 lbs of sand in the system as well. I dont want to have to buy more rock when i already have 200 lbs. Also will removing that much sand from the established system cause any damage ( gases etc.) or putting lots of sand from the established system into the new system cause problems in the new system ( once some livestock is in). Basically I have a 6 inch sand bed in my refugium in when i move it to the other house I dont want any crap escaping and effecting livestock. Any help would be appreciated.

Myka · #2 05-12-2009, 05:18 AM

You will probably cause a major disaster if you try to move your sandbed without really cleaning it well (as in drying it, and "scrubbing" it). Unless you plan on really cleaning very very well, I would suggest you use new sand. Can you move some of the rock from your other systems to the 180? It would be good to have at least 50 lbs or so in there to cycle it. Or buy some estalbished rock from someone on here. That's what I did. I currently own about 200 lbs of rock too, and in a few weeks the only sw tank I will have is a 90, so I will be selling off the extra.

banditpowdercoat · #3 05-12-2009, 05:24 AM

If you do take sand out of your existing tank, Take ALL the sand in a area. DOn't just skimm the surface off. That will release the bad stuff into your tank. I'ts gona make a cycle. I have all the sand from the 150 I got here in Buckets, with holes in the bottom. So the water "hopefully" all drained out and it's dry and dead when I go to use it in a month. But still will suspect a nasty cycle.

10-20Lbs of sand, I dont imagine will be to bad on a 180g. But not sure

PS, How was Texarkanna?

naesco · #4 05-12-2009, 05:26 AM

plus 1 and I would add.

IMO, It is a good idea to take a scoop of your old sand near the edge where you see the worms.
The reason is the critters that live in the rock are not the same critters that live in the sand so the scoop will start a new population of sand critters.

Myka · #5 05-12-2009, 05:44 AM

^ Good call.

fragNplug · #6 05-12-2009, 06:38 AM

im gonna hop in here, i had 45g 90g and a 60g i added all the livestock, sand, coral, and rock to one big 160g.
anonia has been .25 , 0 nitrite and 0 nirate
im pretty sure im going to kill everything.
i have been using prime to keep the amonia down.
so far so good fish are happy and eating.
i had to do a 50% water change, but now im worried.
any info for me from you experienced folks?

Myka · #7 05-12-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fragNplug

im gonna hop in here, i had 45g 90g and a 60g i added all the livestock, sand, coral, and rock to one big 160g.
anonia has been .25 , 0 nitrite and 0 nirate
im pretty sure im going to kill everything.
i have been using prime to keep the amonia down.
so far so good fish are happy and eating.
i had to do a 50% water change, but now im worried.
any info for me from you experienced folks?

Suck out all that old dirty sand with a siphon hose, and wash it really well. Add it back in in a month or so once you're done cleaning it up. That's what I would do.

JDigital · #8 05-12-2009, 08:47 PM

New System, New Sand.... That's my rule.

banditpowdercoat · #9 05-12-2009, 09:45 PM

How does one wash 130+ Lbs of sand?

I was going to just add the sand to my tank tonight, let it sit dry for a month while i"m in camp. Would that be bad?

iansfishy · #10 05-12-2009, 11:30 PM

ok so how 'bout this. I take all the sand from my refugium 30 or so lbs ( I can close this off from the rest of the system), and put it in the new tank with some rock, basically causing a cycle in the new tank. I have to make the move over a couple weeks, which sounds good but is actually a real pain in the ass. ( two tanks, and cant look after either of them). How can people move their whole systems in one day without a cycle? I moved a tank a couple months ago sand and everythng and never had a problem. I guess a small amount of old sand and the rest new stuff is the way to go. But heres another problem - if the new tank is then newly established are my sps gonna be ok in the newly established tank? Normally I would take water sand and rock in one day but I gotta stretch this one out. Thanks for the help. Hey Myka - when is that rock gonna be up for grabs? hows saskabush? Ill figure this one out, ive been on the road for two weeks i need some sleep-- and another red bull!