Upgrading Existing Tank to New - What to Do/Expect?

[RaymondL]

I'm taking down and old tank and upgrading to a new larger tank. The new tank has new substrate and I've matched the water parameters to the same as the old tank as best I could.

I will be taking the live rock from the old tank and using it in the new. This is my first time I've done this, so I'm not sure what to expect, so I'm seeking any feedback you all might share on the question below:

A. Do I need to add bottled bacteria?
B. With the live rock, does this mean that I don't have to worry about a proper cycling?
C. Will I have to contend with the "Ugly Phase" again?
D. Would the corals be absolutely stressed despite water parameters testing the same - light will be the same as the old
E. Anything else I can do to make this transition as successful as possible?

Thanks all!

 

[Waters]

I'm taking down and old tank and upgrading to a new larger tank. The new tank has new substrate and I've matched the water parameters to the same as the old tank as best I could.

I will be taking the live rock from the old tank and using it in the new. This is my first time I've done this, so I'm not sure what to expect, so I'm seeking any feedback you all might share on the question below:

A. Do I need to add bottled bacteria?
B. With the live rock, does this mean that I don't have to worry about a proper cycling?
C. Will I have to contend with the "Ugly Phase" again?
D. Would the corals be absolutely stressed despite water parameters testing the same - light will be the same as the old
E. Anything else I can do to make this transition as successful as possible?

Thanks all!

A - No, you don't need to add bottled bacteria but it won't hurt anything if you do.
B - Correct....the majority of your nitrifying bacteria is on the surface of your rock, which you are bringing to your new tank.
C - Yes, you will probably experience a more subdued ugly phase due to the new substrate.
D - This one is tough to say.....I believe there is a lot we don't understand about coral in aquariums regarding bacteria and what maturity brings. On paper, no, they shouldn't be stressed if everything matches. Lighting, water chemistry, and flow are all very important. Any changes to those can stress them out.
E- Sounds like you have everything covered....good luck!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The tank size to tank size would have helped. But if you are using the same light, I imagine its a small upgrade, so it should be a straightforward tank swap.

Be careful with your sand, if you plan to re-use your sand, then it needs to be very well rinsed, don't just transfer it over. Either use brand new sand, or rinse you old sand.