How to upgrade a tank?

[NemoanDory]

I am wondering how people that have upgraded their systems have done the switch over. Right now I have a 100 gal and want to upgrade to a 180-200 gal. Now my problem is where my tank is now I have to put my new one there. How would I go about doing this? And would any of you wonderful experienced reefers want to help me do this? I would pay for someone to help me out lol.

Thank you so much

[lastlight]

If you've got the necessary permissions to *do* the upgrade you've done the heavy lifting =)

I tipped my 34g to slip furniture sliders under the 4 legs and slide it into a different room so I could build my current tank. You're unfortunately going to have to transfer your stuff to rubbermaids and then back to the tank in a temp location I think. I'd move everything except the sand... that may be a mess if you disturb it so I'd suggest not moving the sand too much while you do this.

[The Codfather]

Originally Posted by lastlight

If you've got the necessary permissions to *do* the upgrade you've done the heavy lifting =)

I tipped my 34g to slip furniture sliders under the 4 legs and slide it into a different room so I could build my current tank. You're unfortunately going to have to transfer your stuff to rubbermaids and then back to the tank in a temp location I think. I'd move everything except the sand... that may be a mess if you disturb it so I'd suggest not moving the sand too much while you do this.

+1, re-use of the sand usually leads to problems.

[sphelps]

My procedure would be along these lines:

• Temporarily remove the water from the 100gallon
• Carefully lift and move the 100 gallon far enough out of the way for the new tank
• Replace the water in the 100 gallon and keep system running in new location
• Begin setup of new tank, avoid any uncured rock, add new sand, add new water
• Let the new tank settle for about 24 hours
• Plumb new tank into 100 gallon viva common sump, run for a few days.
• Transfer over livestock
• Disconnect 100 gallon
• dismantle 100 gallon and apologize to your other.

The last step is key!

[NemoanDory]

thank you to all who have replied. Unfortuntately I do not have room to run my 100 gal and ANOTHER 100 and some gal. FORTUNTATELY I don't have a significate other lol so no appologizing necessary lol.

Next question is though how much wait can my floor hold? who would I need to contact about that to see what I can upgrade too. I don't want my floor to colapes lol. Right now this is what I have

110 gal tank 6ft x 20 x 18
metel stand
40 gal sump with fuge
20gal saltwater mixing tank
30gal auto top off tank.

approx. 130lbs of live rock
a thin layer of sand about an inch think.


Not sure how much more weight my floor can hold.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by sphelps

My procedure would be along these lines:

• Temporarily remove the water from the 100gallon
• Carefully lift and move the 100 gallon far enough out of the way for the new tank
• Replace the water in the 100 gallon and keep system running in new location
• Begin setup of new tank, avoid any uncured rock, add new sand, add new water
• Let the new tank settle for about 24 hours
• Plumb new tank into 100 gallon viva common sump, run for a few days.
• Transfer over livestock
• Disconnect 100 gallon
• dismantle 100 gallon and apologize to your other.

The last step is key!

This is pretty much your only option unless you want to by a whole bunch of heaters for all the rubbermaids you are going to need. I am actually doing this myself tonight or tomorrow, though with a 50 gallon. I bet if you got 3 friends to come over you could all move the 100G.

[yellowworld]

I have to agree with steve and sphelps they are both on the right track, I would tank our maybe a 3rd to half the water and quickly slide it out of the way and then put the water back (your going to need a few ppl to help out there and at least 5 rummer maids for the water) the start your set up with the new tank and then follow sphelps directions after that

Good luck!