Is this a bad idea?

lockrookie · #1 12-10-2010, 05:05 PM

the only thing im concerned about is if the 180 does a cycle spike the live rock in tubs may have die off or may not.. i would hate toseeyou lose fish due to a cycle spike.

i could be wrong tho.

Aquattro · #2 12-10-2010, 05:12 PM

The rock in the tub should be stable, it's been in new SW for a month, heated, with fish food added every now and then to build bacteria. I figured 2 weeks to build it up to where it would be sufficient for the livestock to move over, follwed shortly after by a good water change.

Lampshade · #3 12-10-2010, 05:21 PM

I just went from a 55 to a 135. I set up a water transfer with my 2 tanks at a slow rate for a day, with new tank draining into old sump, and vise versa. I had new sand in the new tank, and wanted to acclimitise everything before the transfer. I moved everything over in about 2 hours, left the old tank setup just in case i needed to move some stuff back.

I showed 0 ammonia and nitrites through the whole thing, i tested every 2 hours for that day, and the next 3-4 days 3+ times a day.

My coral and everything transfered great, everything was open within hours and looking better than ever. I had a pretty light fish load, but none of them where affected it seemed, just more room to move around.

Aquattro · #4 12-10-2010, 05:30 PM

I might use the water from the existing sump (it holds about 60 gallons) but the sand is new, rock is new but partially cured/seeded, some existing rock will move over eventually.
Fish load is medium for 180, 15 fish total. 5 butterflies, a tang, a wrasse, 4 clowns and 3 damsels. Pretty sure I'll need to have new water on hand in case of a spike.

PoonTang · #5 12-10-2010, 05:37 PM

Is it possible to move half of your fish, wait a bit to make sure that everything is ok, then move the other half a week or so later? Or move all or as much of your existing rock over as possible, even if it is only to the sump for a bit. Then you will know for sure that your bacteria will handle your bioload.

Aquattro · #6 12-10-2010, 05:40 PM

Rock in the sump is a good idea, I'll do that.

PoonTang · #7 12-10-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Rock in the sump is a good idea, I'll do that.

also FWIW everything I have read suggests that transferring over your old water will do nothing to help out the cycle but it will help acclimate the fish a little better.