Moving to larger aquarium

[mfinn]

Is there a specific one or just a pvc gate valve from Lowe’s?

For this you could get away with just a regular threaded or socket fit pvc gate valve. I don't use the union valves in this spot.

 

[willy00]

I went through a similar process with a tank upgrade. I would recommend new sand and just throw away the old sand unless you really want to spend hours rinsing it. The old sand can hold a lot of gas and anaerobic bacteria, causing potential problems in the new tank.

As for the plumbing, I converted the aqueon internal overflow into a herbie drain with a Spears gate valve on the main drain, and the return line runs over the top of tank as others have suggested. I chose to hard plumb everything with unions for maintenance or future changes. I think you could figure out a way to use some of the flexible tubing but if silence is the goal, this is the way to do it! You also gain more flexibility with return pump power and have an emergency drain.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’ve done 2 transfers in the past to la larger tanks. 30 to 60 to 90. Both times I got fresh sand . The rocks and live stock were in a couple tubs with a heater and wave maker . Saved as much of old water as I could. Filled new tank about halfway and added rocks. The filled most of the rest of the way and added the residents. It was fairly easy taking a total of about 3 ish hours. Also helpful to me was all the tanks were AIO.

 

[CKW]

I strongly suggest you rinse the sand before adding it. I would rinse it outside with tap water until it runs clear, and a final rinse with RODI... I'm probably overly paranoid :)

Get new sand. Doesn’t cost much and you’re not adding any “undesirable “ to the new tank.

 

[McPuff]

Get new sand for sure. Take about 1 cup of old sand and pour it onto the new sand. When I moved my stuff from a 120 to a 300 I did this. After 1 week nearly the whole sand bed had signs of life in it (looking from below the tank). I made about 200 gallons of new saltwater and the rest I pulled from the old tank. I used the same sump so I had to switch the plumbing as part of this process but it was pretty simple. Just plan it all out ahead of time!