Use old water or start fresh?

Gripenfelter · #1 09-20-2011, 07:13 PM

Looking to transfer everything from my 120 gallon to my 300+ gallon tank next week. Should I use all of the old water to speed up the cycling process or should I use all new water with lots of cycle additive and wait a few weeks?

Using old rock and sand from 120.

2pts · #2 09-20-2011, 07:38 PM

Everything I have read says not to use the old sand.

I would use the old water though.

christyf5 · #3 09-20-2011, 07:40 PM

I've always used old water, I try for about 50% so as not to shock everything incase the new water isn't quite perfect

Gripenfelter · #4 09-20-2011, 07:58 PM

Why not the old sand? It's not like it will be sitting in a bucket for days. Just scooping it up and transferring it in.

parkinsn · #5 09-20-2011, 08:06 PM

I would not use the sand. Your going to stir up a whole lot of what you dont want to stir up. But uae as much water as you can.

Gripenfelter · #6 09-20-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkinsn

I would not use the sand. Your going to stir up a whole lot of what you dont want to stir up. But uae as much water as you can.

I have lots of nassarius snails, conches and a sand sifting goby who is constantly stirring up my sand.

dc4 · #7 09-20-2011, 08:22 PM

Once you disturb the sand, it will release toxic gases as it holds nitrates and slowly converts it to good bacteria however its a slow process.

parkinsn · #8 09-20-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc4

Once you disturb the sand, it will release toxic gases as it holds nitrates and slowly converts it to good bacteria however its a slow process.

Ohhh... You beat me to the punch.

You stiring up the sand and a conch are two different things. How long has your sand been in the tank?

ScubaSteve · #9 09-20-2011, 08:31 PM

Trust us, you want new sand. When you transfer that tank and stir the sand up you'll see why. There is all sorts of funky going on in there. You might find some of the areas buried under rocks has become anaerobic and smells like rotten eggs. I find I feel just gross after handling old sand.

Sand is like the kitty litter of this hobby. Everyone poops on it. It's gross.

parkinsn · #10 09-20-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Trust us

I dont know if I would go that far

You can take a few "scoops" of your sand to get your new sand going. Just dont x-fer all of it.