How big can I go while keeping the same light?

TheReefGeek · #1 03-09-2006, 07:35 PM

I would transfer all your water over you can. You will lose some rinsing the sand and the rocks off, but save the rest for the new tank.

OCDP · #2 03-09-2006, 07:38 PM

Sounds good.

Would it be a bad idea to go with all new sand and keep say a cup of the old to seed the new? Reason being is.... I like the look of new, clean white sand. (mine is all discoloured from algae and such..)

TheReefGeek · #3 03-09-2006, 07:44 PM

Nothing wrong with that at all. I might do a few cups to make the rest of the sandbed live faster.

I keep my sand white all the time with sand sifters, they keep it really nice and clean for me. I have a dragon goby, various other gobies, and a pistol shrimp.

OCDP · #4 03-09-2006, 08:00 PM

That was going to be my next question. Other than snails (and preferablly not a fish) What could I use to keep the sandbed turned over nicely? What would be most efficient as well as most active ?

TheReefGeek · #5 03-09-2006, 08:05 PM

Why not fish?

Sea cucumbers, pistol shrimp. Starfish, but I dont recommend them in general, some people do. Sandsifting starfish will eat through your sandbed in that size tank too quickly and starve, IMO.

Im sure there are lots more just cant think of any right now.

OCDP · #6 03-09-2006, 08:08 PM

I say not a fish because I already have 5. Please hold off on all flaming .. I know 5 fish is lots for 20g. I have had no problems, no territory problems, and no problems with paramaters.. just so we're all clear (also, why im upgrading

)

I am probably maxed to a 45g tank already. But.. I may add one more fish, and I want it to be something colorful and active.. that's why I don't want a fish that will hide in the sand all the time

What would you personally recommend for moving the sand? I am leaning towards a cucumber myself.

TheReefGeek · #7 03-09-2006, 08:17 PM

What fish do you have? In my 50g I had 13 fish or so. It depends on the size of the fish, not the number. And it depends on your filtration, I ran that on a CPR BakPak II, and I ran an 18w UV sterilizer. No sump, no fuge at that time, and I had no algae problems with that equipment and bioload.

Coral Beauty, yellow tang, 2 clowns, firefish, 2 lyretail anthias, clown goby, scooter blenny, couple other gobies, and can't remember the other 2 right now.

Sand sifting fish don't hide in the sand at all, they hover around and scoop up the sand and sift it, my dragon goby is one of my favorite fish to watch! He is always out in the open, and it is great to watch him sift huge mouthfulls of sand and drop it everywhere (including my corals, I think he aims for them too!)