Advice needed

OK, so I recieved a 240 gallon acrylic tank from my boss- free. It's 8' x 2' x 2' - 240 gallons

I have a very nice 165 gallon set up presently, it's very nice. my present tank is a flat back hex 5' x 2' x 3' 165 gallons.

I am considering going to the 240, but I have never done such a large move from one tank to another, so my question to all of you with actual experience with this type of thing-

if I use the water out of my 45 gallon and my 165 , then add new water do you think there would be a cycle process or would I be ok simply transfering everyone over?

I am also concerned about stressing out my critters- this seems very daunting.

let me know, and thanks.

 

If you're organized, you will just simply be transferring everything over.

 

A cycle would be going on the safe side. Take it slow, and let it grow. It will not hurt to add water and some sand from your other tanks. Doing so will speed up a cycle.

 

Nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria are bentic. There may be some in the water column, but they do not grow and live in the water. Moving the liverock and any other biological filter should help prevent a cycle though. That is if you can do so without killing off too much bacteria. Some people say the water isn't important at all. I sort of disagree, there is decaying organic martial in old water, which serves as a food source for heterotrophic bacteria. This would be more absent from freshly mixed salt water. I usually recommend keeping about 50% of the old water for this reason.

In the end, the cycle is about stocking, not total water volume. If the filtration system can handle the bioload there will not be a cycle. So, if you are moving any tank to any other tank, regardless of size difference, in theory, there won't be a cycle if all other things are equal. That is if you do not increase the bioload and maintain the current level of filtration, in otherwords don't kill of too much bacteria in the process.

This isn't really predictable though. 90% of the time it works out fine, but to be safe, if possible, I always prefer to set up the new tank first. Add a few pieces of live-rock and a few cups of sand from the old tank, to seed it. And let it cycle for a month or so. Often it isn't necessary, but it's a useful form of insurance.

 

That is also what I would do. Depending on how long your current tank has been set up and how deep your sandbed is, transferring all the sand could cause a pretty good ammonia spike...that happens a lot. You can't really transfer sand over in one piece to keep from disturbing the pockets of bad stuff.

 

Good point, forgot to mention the sand. Also, it tends to be a nutrient sink over time, so it's a good chance to replace it regardless.

 

I never reuse sand. Too many risks. I put in new sand. Use the plastic bags to cover the sand so it doesn't get kicked around when I fill it it. I fill up the tank halfway up with new saltwater and bring it to temperature. Then I GENTLY remove the bags. Move the rock from one tank and aquascape it to my satisfaction. Meanwhile, I've moved half of the powerheads over to aerate the water. Do a quick check on pH, temperature, and salinity. If all checks out, I'll move the livestock. Depending on the nitrate level in the "old" tank, I may pump some of that water over. However, if the nitrate levels are high, I'll fill the rest of the way up with brand new water that is heated/aerated. I'll put a couple of cups of the old sand on top of the new sand in various places. I put a Seachem Ammonia alert right on the front glass and I ask the customer to check on it every hour and call me if the color changes. seachem ammonia alert - Google Search

I've never lost a coral or a fish and I've set up 100's of tanks.

 

Is the new tank going in the same place as the old one?

 

Never done this before but would be nice to know how. For future upgrade you know.

 

well I don't use sand - to hard to keep clean and becomes a nitrate factory over time- I use large aragonite- it's 12 years old, as is the entire system. I have 3 fish in there that are older then that.

All said and done I have decided to stick with what I have because of the "pretty factor" shape - size - etc. of my present tank- my GF, Mom and my brother both like what I have, so- the 240 is up for grabs, whom ever wants it, gets it- first come first serve- it has some scratches- but it's acrylic- they will polish out.

Personally, I feel longer tanks suite marine aquaria better IMHO, but I have been out voted/convinced to stick with my present set up. I was hoping to add a pair of blue jaw triggers, but I do not think my present system is appropriate for them.

As I have no basement/present space for an 8 foot long tank, I would have to reinforce my oak floors to set this amount of aquarium up- as I would be well over 300 gallons of water with sump- etc. by the time I was done.

I do really appreciate all your advice- but it is simply not feasible for me to make the switch right now. But man I wish I could. I mean seriously, over 2000 lbs of water alone, not including anything else. I cant afford the switch over- lighting ect.- just cant do it.

Thank you.

I guess if any one can trade me something for a used acrylic 240 gallon 8 foot tank/w a stand - it's yours.