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Articfox32

Down sizing from my 90 corner to a 60 cube.

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Articfox32
, 12-06-2012 at 01:02 PM (1585 Views)
Hello fellow addicts, I am down sizing my 90 corner to a 60 cube. I am almost done building the stand and canopy.
I am looking for some advice on how to transfer rock, live sand and fish into there new home with out the tank going into a cycle. I am planning on having some sps in the tank. I am using a radion gen 2 light with a mp40.
i believe the mp40 may be to strong for the cube but its only going to be a temp till I can get 2 mp10's.
I am concerned and hoping I don't stress out and kill the starfish. Looking for advise. Thank you

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Categories
‎ Tank Entry , ‎ Questions - Need some input

Comments

  1. twomonsters's Avatar
    Transfer the most of the water, and rock right into the new tank. I would buy new sand, easier than stirring up all that nastiness.
  2. melev's Avatar
    I've done a number of transfers like this, and the biggest issue is live rock being exposed to air for too long, especially if the rock has white sponges on/in it. The sponge dies, and ammonia rises quickly, which will affect the water quality. When moving livestock like this, I recommend keeping the rock submerged as much as possible. Put a large trashcan in front of the tank, drain some saltwater into the trashcan and put the rock in there. Then before you move it to the other aquarium, shake the rock hard in the barrel of saltwater to release some of the trapped particulates within, to reduce how much detritus is moved over to the new system.

    For the sand, it depends on how long is has been used. I've rinsed out sand plenty of times, and we have an article here on RA how to do so specifically. Save a few cups of live sand, and rinse out the rest completely, then put that in the aquarium. Once everything is done and the tank is filled with water, then add the live sand back to the tank's substrate. http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...an-Old-Sandbed

    The MP40 can be dialed way down, and will be fine.
  3. Articfox32's Avatar
    Thank you for the Info. The sand is about 7-8 years old. Is it worth saving or just adding new sand? I will do as Marc suggest and safe a couple cups to add to the 60 gallon. From what I have read is that sand loses some of the good bacteria over time and new sand should be added every now and then to replenish some of the bacteria.
  4. melev's Avatar
    Sand is sand. It is made of aragonite or silica, and can be completely washed clean of everything until all you have is sand once more. I have over 400lbs sitting here that I have to wash out for the 400g, and the weather just got cold. UGH! I should have gotten that ready months ago. 8 year old sand bed - you definitely want to wash it all out like that article indicates. Or buy new if you don't want to deal with it.

    You can add bacteria to your tank, or a bag of Live Sand from your fish store.