Transfering tanks.

[doch]

I like it.

I guess the main reason why I didn't use my old water is because I was switching from tap water in the old tank to RO in the new tank. I wanted to go 100% RO right from the start. I did overlook using some of the old sand to seed the new sand... this is a good idea. The way that I looked at it though is that I was putting in all of my very well established live rock which will also seed the sand bed.

[BMahura]

I was thinking about using my water but i have a brand new RO system that im setting up. Is it ok to still use my water even if its just primed tap water or would it be more beneficial to go with all RO water. Im going to go with all new sand with a couple cups of my old sand bed. What is the best process to go by(what order should i put everything in and should i wait in between to add the live rock or sand)

[Madreefer]

I started out with a 30G to 50G to 72G to another 72G due to a leak than a 90G to now a 144G. Each time I used all of the water from the old tank and half of the sand. I've never lost a thing. If your fast everything should go well but expect alot of water on the floor. If your using dry macro you wont have any spikes at all. Be prepared with lots of rubbermaid storage containers or buckets and have your new sand well rinsed beforehand. You'll be adding alot of new water so in my mind it's considered as a "big water change". I've helped a couple of freinds by doing it the same way and the results were good as well. Good luck and have fun.

[doch]

Due to my mild OCD, I went with all new RO water. Is this needed? Probably not... but it makes me feel better knowing that the whole tank is RO.

This is what I would do, in this kind of order... make adjustments as needed.

Rinse the new sand
Fill the tank with your new ro water
Add salt to proper salinity
Add new sand
Bring to temp, and start circulation
Add the old sand that you plan on using, as well as a few pieces of your old live rock, and any Marco rock that you'll use (after rinsing it)
Let it run like this for as much time as you have... an hour... 12, 24, whatever. (I ran mine for 24)
Add the rest of your live rock from the old tank
Acclimate fish, inverts, and should you choose, your corals
Aquascape while waiting for the acclimation to finish
Add the fish, inverts, and corals
Appologize to your significant other/parents/roomates for the swearing over the last x # of hours, as well as for the mess
Clean up
Enjoy!

Add beer breaks as required.

[BMahura]

That sounds like a great plan to me. Thanks for all the advice. I hope to get the new tank set up with all the plumbing in the next couple days
At what point am i most likely to start a cycle in the tank?

[doch]

You shouldn't get much if any of a spike. The llive rock that you have in the tank should be able to handle the bio load that you transfer over.