Upgrade ?'s

I've had my 20 gallon for almost 3 months now and all is well! i've always been looking to have a 55 gallon and im thinking within the next couple months to do this upgrade. I want to use the 20 gallon dt I have now as a sump eventually so how would I successfully transfer my livestock, rock sand etc. in the new 55 gallon aquarium? Should i mix a batch of salt water about another 15 - 20 gallons and then add in the water from my tank now along with the sand and rock? would that work, or would it cycle again? also how would i add my current livestalk? i wouldnt just wanna throw em in would I. Suggestions greatly appreciated! This isn't happening anytime soon btw so I have time to get equip for the sump and more sand and rock. which leads me to another question. can i just add liverock to the tank too because i have about 25 lbs of it already and id be looking to get about 30 lbs of rock?

 

Buy new sand, too many bad possibilities with the old sand. Mix up new saltwater and make sure the parameters match those in the 20 and put in the tank after placing your new sand. Get the temperature the same as the twenty. Then put all of the rock from the 20 in. Net the fish from the old tank into the new. Leave the lights off like you had just introduced new fish to keep the stress down.

 

So i would have to cycle it again basically?

 

At worst you would have a mini cycle. Add any additional rock in with the old rock and scape before adding the fish. Just keep track of your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Use prime or amquel if it gets out of hand.

 

ok so I need to add the rock from the 20 and any other live rock at the same time, and then how long do i wait to add the fish, because wouldnt my tank now go out of wack eventually with no LR in it? and what is amquel?

 

Once you have the 55 filled with water and rock in go the fish. Amquel is a chlorine and ammonia reducer to make your water fish safe. Actually I think you want to get Amquel+.

 

Okay thanks that seems easy enough! Any recommendations on a return pump for my sump with it being 20 gallons? just curious.