Need advice

[khushtram]

So here’s the thing I currently have a 60 cube that’s been running for 4+ years. I finally got the chance to upgrade to a 90 gallon 48x18x22. My dilemma is I don’t have enough rock work to aquascape the new tank so I will be using my old rock with a bunch of new ones. I’m also adding a new sump with a brand new 3 inch sand bed. Should I cycle the new tank with the new rocks,new sump and new sand? Or is it safe to transfer it all over at once ? Please help!

 

[reeflover_3303]

Curing the new rock and then setting everything up is also an option

 

[khushtram]

Curing dry rock takes ages lol. The wife wants the old tank out ASAP.

 

[Super Fly]

when I upgraded from 60 to 93 cube, I used the old rocks, sump and equipment with new sand and had no problem, if anything may have had a mini cycle (probably from the new pipes due to loss of good bacteria from old pipes) but all livestock survived. However in hindsight, I should've saved 1-2 cups of old sand to help seed the new sand.

If u plan to add a lot more new rocks, then I'd cure the new rocks in separate container then add them later. If it's not much then adding to new tank should be fine and the old rocks will help cure it faster.

AFter few months, I decided to upgrade my sump to a larger one and this upset some corals that remained closed for 2 weeks.

 

[Vahanyos]

Transfer the old rock, add your new sand, add a couple cups of the old one to help seed the new one like @Super Fly mentioned. Afterwards, you can add a few pieces of rock every 1-2 weeks until you are satisfied with the scape/amount of rocks in there.

This is how I would do it - you can't completely avoid an algea bloom or phos, etc... leaching out the rock while it's getting seasoned. But the bloom should be kept to a minimum..