Tank Migration Thoughts

[MC Blowfish]

I've been thinking about upgrading my 20 gallon long to a 40 gallon. This could be a little tricky since I plan setting up the new tank in the same spot. Here is my plan.

I was going to buy some 5 gallon buckets to drain the existing tank water into those buckets.
I was either going to mix-up some new water or purchase it from an LFS. I haven't decided on which one.
Place my live rock, and corals into the buckets with water.
Catch the fish, and inverts before I place them into buckets with lids.
Swap the tanks and stands
Add fresh sand and top off with some of the sand from the old tank. I'm only going to use a little from the top to avoid any issues.
Add the rocks, corals, and then the fish.

Here are my current inhabitants.
2 ocellaris clowns
1 Yellow-head Jawfish
1 Bicolor Blenny
1 Emerald Crab
Assortment of snails and hermit crabs.
Mixture of LPS and Soft corals.

I'm using a Nicrew 32 watts for my lights. I might have to upgrade here with the extra space.
My filter is a Seachem Tidal 35. I think I should be fine for now, but if I want to add anymore fish. I'll need to upgrade.
I'm using a Fluval 100 watt heater.
I'm using an AI Nero 3 for my wavemaker. I also have a Voyager 1000 wavemaker that I can use as well.

How much sand should I buy? I can always arrange the sand deeper in an area where I think my jawfish will build his home, but jawfish being jawfish, it'll be where it feels more comfortable.

Does anyone see anything I'm not thinking about?
What are some things I should look out for?
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[exnisstech]

20g isn't too large. Could you drain some of the water and just move it out of the way, even to the middle of the room. Set the 40 then move everything in starting with the rock? I think it would be easier than using buckets and moving everything twice.

 

[MC Blowfish]

20g isn't too large. Could you drain some of the water and just move it out of the way, even to the middle of the room. Set the 40 then move everything in starting with the rock? I think it would be easier than using buckets and moving everything twice.

I could do that. It shouldn't be too hard to get do it that way.

 

[Quietman]

What I would do is setup the 40 gallon someplace temporarily. Put some rock from existing tank to kick off the cycle.

Once initial cycle is complete, have tank move day. Drain enough of the 20 into sink to move it. Then drain enough of the 40 into buckets to move it (you'll reuse this water). Fill it back up soon as you move and then move the livestock.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree just empty it halfway and you +1 should be able to slide it out of the way. Then build your tank and fill it, add sand (I would just get new sand). Add the equipment, then the rocks, then the fish and inverts. I've done this once before and it worked out without losses or too much stress.

IMO get yourself a nicrew 150 watt and you will grow anything you want.

I would not upgrade the hob filter, I would suggest that a hob skimmer along with your hob filter will be a much better overall filtration. Or you can just increase the amount of water changes to compensate, but that costs more money over time.

I would upgrade the heater. The rule of thumb is 3-5 watts per gallon, so 40 gallons should have 120 watts minimum. I live in a cold place so I got 200 watt heater in my 40 gallon. And of course get an inkbird or some kind of controller.

I would add an additional powerhead with the nero 3.

I don't see an ATO on your list, but IMO that is vital.

Good luck with your new tank

 

[MC Blowfish]

I agree just empty it halfway and you +1 should be able to slide it out of the way. Then build your tank and fill it, add sand (I would just get new sand). Add the equipment, then the rocks, then the fish and inverts. I've done this once before and it worked out without losses or too much stress.

IMO get yourself a nicrew 150 watt and you will grow anything you want.

I would not upgrade the hob filter, I would suggest that a hob skimmer along with your hob filter will be a much better overall filtration. Or you can just increase the amount of water changes to compensate, but that costs more money over time.

I would upgrade the heater. The rule of thumb is 3-5 watts per gallon, so 40 gallons should have 120 watts minimum. I live in a cold place so I got 200 watt heater in my 40 gallon. And of course get an inkbird or some kind of controller.

I would add an additional powerhead with the nero 3.

I don't see an ATO on your list, but IMO that is vital.

Good luck with your new tank

I have a Voyager 1000 I can use on the opposite end of the tank.

Good call on the ATO. That would be far more efficient than manually topping off.

What would you recommend for a skimmer?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have a Voyager 1000 I can use on the opposite end of the tank.

Good call on the ATO. That would be far more efficient than manually topping off.

What would you recommend for a skimmer?

IME the Aquaready 1.5 is the best hob skimmer I've ever used and would work perfectly for this size tank. The Aquaready Bullets are pretty good too.

 

[mcarroll]

I was going to buy some 5 gallon buckets to drain the existing tank water into those buckets.

Yep

I was either going to mix-up some new water or purchase it from an LFS. I haven't decided on which one.

Shouldn't matter. Although I will say at 40 gallons, you might be requiring more water, so maybe setting up production at home is a good idea? (50+ gallons is usually where I almost consider a filter at home a requirement. At least a Good Idea.)

Place my live rock, and corals into the buckets with water.

Yep

Catch the fish, and inverts before I place them into buckets with lids.

Yep (may as well have lids on hand for all the buckets whether they are used or not)

Swap the tanks and stands

Yep

Add fresh sand and top off with some of the sand from the old tank. I'm only going to use a little from the top to avoid any issues.

Test ahead of time whether the sand has accumulated a lot of crud or not. My tanks sand was still clean after 10 years, but some folks can't keep it that way for more than a few weeks. Depends on how the tank was run – so check. If it's clean – re-use all of it. If not, sand is cheap and cleaning it can be time- and water-consuming – just get new sand. (If there's something special about your sand that you wan't to keep it, at least it's a small amount to clean.)

Add the rocks, corals, and then the fish.

Yep.

You pretty much have it.

A Brute trashcan (from 20 to 55 gallons) will let you do it all in one vessel if that seems valuable for any reason. can't think of any other tips! Make sure you have a pump and some hose as well as something to scoop sand with? A shop vac helps?

Ok...