New tank arriving Friday

Wingizzmo · Apr 4, 2017

Ok everyone I'm not sure what I should do, I'm moving up to the red sea reefer 250 from a max 130 everything is doing good in the 130 so should I set up the 250 with the new live sand and let it cycle then move rock fish and coral will I get another cycle ? Or set the new tank up get water right temp salinity so on and just move it all over right away will I get another cycle then ?

revhtree · Apr 4, 2017

I would set up the new tank with new sand. Take most of the water from the old tank and move it and the livestock to the new tank with the rock of course. Then add fresh saltwater to fill it up. Then after a week or so I would do a nice water change.

I have done this many times. You'll get some diatoms on the new sand like you do when you cycle but overall it's the easiest way IMO.

BoomCorals · Apr 4, 2017

You won't get another cycle, though as mentioned skip transferring the sand. The sand is the one thing that can cause a cycle because when you stir it up it can cause issues. Your rock is already cycled though, so there won't be any die off simply transferring to a new tank.