switching tanks????

29gallon

i have a 29 gallon sw tank and if i wanted to get a 55 gallon then would i have to let the tank recycle even if i put all the sand and rock from my tank that is already cycled?

Pasfur

You would get a very quick cycle, but if you add dry rock or cured live rock to the 55, along with your existing live rock, then I doubt the spike would last more than a few short days.

29gallon

okay so what would i do with my fish cuz i cant keep them in the tank right?

Pasfur

Is the new aquarium going to be in a different location, or will you have to break down the existing tank immediately?

29gallon

im trying 2 decide on that i will probably have to break it down on the spot

cerianthus

If it is not too much trouble, can you get new plastic garbage container which can hold about 30 Gallons of water each.

1. Fill 1st container with new s/w water, circulating and heated to match the temp of 29G tank..

2. Perform PWC on 29G and saved that water in the 2nd container. Use the water from 1st container to fill
29G tank.

3. Add the water in 2nd containere to fill 1st container.

4. Repeat 2 & 3 couple of times or more if you wish.

5. The day you want to transfer, take the water from 1st container and split b/n 2 containers.
Drain half of 29 G into 1st and 2nd containers . Remove Rocks into 2nd container.

6. Siphon out more water from 29 G into split b/n both containers leaving enough water in the tank for the
fish

7. Take the fish out using small plastic box (Lee's Products have such to hold the fish before bagging in
lfs). Put the plastic box into tank near one corner and chase the fish into it and scoop it out.
Thus noscratches or damages done to body/eyes. Place the fish into first container.

8. Drain out rest of the water and drain into 2nd container. (maybe very mulky but no problem)

9. Move the 29 G and place 55G.

10. Using net, scoop out all the substratefrom 29G and place them in 55G. Good time to add more prewashed new substrates in separate bucket.

11. Pump the water from 2nd bucket into 55G. Place that small plastic box in 55G and let water overfrlow from the box thus gentle filling, less mulky.

12. As water is pumped from 2nd container to 55G, can add LR .

13. When 2nd container is empty then start pumping water from 1st tank with fish. Make sure to use foam on the pump (Mag-Drive). Do not fill to the rim though.

14. Leave enough water in the container for fish which you can pick up and pout both water and fish into 55G.
Make sure the water in the container with fish is not more than what you need to fill the tank.

15. Set up rest of equipments.

Voila! Done.

Good Luck.

Pasfur

I do almost the same steps as above, but I would allow the 55 gallon to mix overnight, with the water circulating. The fish will be fine for several days (or longer) in that storage tote with live rock and water circulation.

Both methods would fine. But you don't need to feel rushed is the point i'm adding.

29gallon

wow you guys are freakin awesome. I had some type of idea but that really cleared it up thank you so much. Also when i add more sand i wont have 2 let it sit before i put fish in because for some reason i feel like i should but as long as you guys think it would be fine then ill do it!

cerianthus

I though that what I said to fill #1 to prep new water, LOL!

By the time ready to switch, even new water is somewhat active after few water changes. Can even add couple of LR to new water container after first water change...

Even though I agree that fish would be fine for while in the container but i rather to move all fish to 55 G at the end of the swap since cant see in case something develops in the tote.

Post if run into problems.

Should have at least one Mag Pump and hose to make the swap easier.

Pasfur

Just don't be stuck in the concept. Be patient and make sure everything seems perfect before adding the fish to the 55. If you have any worries at all, just wait until you can get some direction.