Thoughts on tank transfer

[DD0513]

Sorry for long post before I begin. I have a multi issue tank transfer coming up that I wanted some thoughts on.

Here is the scenario.

Im switching out my 55 display tank for a 75. In my 55 I have a Midas Blenny, a firefish, a diamond watchman, a Mccoskers Flasher Wrasse, a Royal gramma, and two zebra barred gobies. Inverts are some trochus, astrea and nesarius snails, peppermint shrimp, handful of hermits, and micro bristle star. Corals are a toadstool, mushrooms, zoas, Xenia and a frogspawn.

I bought some dry reef rock from an old system to add to my live rock. My plan is to keep it in a tote with half water from my next water change and half new water. Put a small heater and power head in it and add a piece of live rock from my display to help seed it and dose a little bacteria. Add a mix of copepods and just let it run for 8weeks before the switch. If I see aiptasia pop up I will add a peppermint shrimp.

So here is the problem and the plan. I bought two clowns several months ago, I made the mistake of not quarantining them because my quarantine set up was messed up at the time. They both developed either velvet or brooklynella, I lean velvet just off of observations. My other fish began flashing and rubbing, but I kept them well fed and the water in good condition and they have all recovered and I rarely notice any symptoms. Obviously it’s still there, but they are tolerating it well. So I figured during the tank change would be a good time to catch and treat them all. So I am planning on setting up two ten gallon quarantines, and treating with copper. Meanwhile I will switch to the seventy five, use my sand and add a bag or two of live sand, my live rock and my coral and inverts. Use around 50 gallons of water from my tank and add new water for rest. I will also add a 20 gallon sump so that will be about 10gal of new water also. I will let the new set up run for 8 weeks before adding the fish back to it to try and beat the parasite.

So I guess I’m just wondering, does anyone see an issue with this process as I have never switched tanks over before?

Shouldn’t this minimize the new tank cycle?

Have I missed anything with the treatment of the fish before adding them back?

Any other suggestions for the new reef rock addition?

Any other thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

 

[tbrown]

I personally wouldn't treat with copper if they're not exhibiting any symptoms. If all fish are acting and looking healthy, less stress will help keep them that way. Build up their natural immune systems as @Paul B would say.

My suggestion with the rocks is just like you said above but is consider using as much old water from the tank as you can rather than mixing half and half. I also like to predose with some phosphates just to help get them saturated so they don't strip my water when I add new rocks but that's just a personal preference.

I would take the fish and several rocks for hiding and put them in a tub or bucket with enough water to keep them happy, add a heater and some flow and aeration.

Take a second tub for the corals and more rock, add a heater and flow.

Save as much water from the tank as possible, transfer the sand (rinse first if you want - I don't) and the rest of the rock to the new tank, add the rest of the water from the 55.

I'd let that run for a day to make sure everything is settled in the tank then add the fish and corals if everything looks good and no large ammonia spikes.

All that is if you're replacing the 55 with the 75 in the same spot and can't keep the 55 running for a bit.

If you can keep the 55 running, I'd take the new rock and some seed rock and put it directly into the 75 with as much change out water as you're comfortable with and then give it a week or two and start moving fish and corals and the rest of the rock.