Question on setting up/transferring reef.

Hi all,

I have purchased a new fluval 305, an e200 heater, t5 4 bank lighting, and a 33 gallon tank. (all new)

I am buying the contents of another guys existing reef.
50 lbs live rock
40 lbs of crushed coral
Spiny Urchin
Two clown fish
and a
Prizim HOB protein skimmer

I still want to get a couple powerheads. (how many should I get and what rating)

But most importantly.... how the heck should I make this transition from the other tank to mine.

I am going to try and save as much of his water as I can...but other than that....how should I do this?

I am new to reef and saltwater. So please treat me as a total newb.

Thanks

 

A risky endeavor as you might be inheriting someone else's problems...



Grab some big totes. Use one for the fish and urchin. Place a heater and a powerhead in there. Put half of the tank water in there.

Use a tote for the live rock. Try to put the remaining water in there to cover up as much of the rock as possible.

Ditch the CC. Horrible stuff and once it's disturbed from it's resting place, you stir up some really nasty stuff. Buy some sand substrate. More surface area and less chance of it trapping detritus.

Place sand in the new tank. Then put either a bowl or saran wrap over the sand and pour as much of the water from the LR tote as you can.

Place the LR in the tank, making sure it's touching the bottom of the tank (wiggle it down through the sand). Make sure it's sturdy. You'd be amazed at what havoc snails can cause with loose rocks.

Transplant your fish as well as water in to your new tank.


Fair warning: Using new substrate will cause a small cycle while the sand gains the proper bacteria.





As for powerheads, I'm a big fan of Koralias by Hydor. They just came out with the Evolution line so you can choose the E's or the K's. The K's will be on sale at most places. For a 33 gal tank, I'd suggest two Koralia 2's.

 

Great tips....

The cycle that this creates should the bacteria on the rock be enough to help things through?

What is the likelyhood that things won't make it.

What about the fluval?

 

Best advise Karma to you both

J

 

Do they need a controller? or is that something i can add on later.

You also mentioned about inheriting someone else's problems.

What kind of problems....anything i can watch or check before I go through with the purchase>?

 

Not following what you mean???

 

I was agreeing with Slocal and thought his advise was well done. So I rewarded him by giving him Karma. That is the white scale looking thing below the user name. you can give Positive Karma to people for help and advise

J

 

Well, there is a slim chance something may go wrong, usually through error though (unclean hands is a real killer). I changed out substrate a few months in to the hobby. Yep, I had CC once as well. All of my fish and corals made it out just fine. The key is that you use mature water and good live rock. The bacteria is in the water and LR. It will populate your sand in time.

The 305 is a proven model. I've got a canister filter on my 29g tank right now. The Fluval is a little weaker GPH-wise (190gph) than the Magnum HOT (250gph), but it's more than likely better manufactured. I chose mine due to the 250gph and the fact that it was a HOB.

Speaking of HOB, I'd highly recommend the AquaC Remora as a skimmer. They're awesome and easy to adjust.




Thanks for the thumbs up, Jason

 

The regular Koralias should not be put on a controller. The only powerhead in that price range that I would put on a controller would be from the maxi-jet family.

As for problems, two majors come to mind; nuisance algae and aiptasia. There are many other items that can be a major pain when you're dealing with unknown livestock.

Here's a few links to help you:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/algae/ultimate-nuisance-algae-thread-58657.html

ReefSlides - April '06 - Hitchhikers! - Part I

ReefSlides - April '06 - Hitchhikers! - Part II

 

if some rocks have crap on them. leave them in the old saltwater bin last.. use a toothbrush and scrub the outside of nasty rocks in that old tank water.. once done throw out old nasty water in that bin. also you might want to save a handful of old crush coral and maybe you can seed your new sand bottom with it..

I think im right, but Im sure someone will bust me if Im wrong!