Upgrading tank, help and suggestions please

[CSJIII]

I currently have a 28 gallon JBJ nano and I have outgrown it. I love the tank and all of the upgrades I have put on it, but I want something a bit larger. I think I have decided to go with the Red Sea Max 250. 65 gallons seems like a good size for volume and available space in my home, and I like not having to maintain a sump, so the Red Sea 250 seems a good fit for me. So how do I go about the move with as little cycle and moving problems in the tank as possible? Obviously I only have 28 gallons (Minus the volume of live rock) and I want the move to be as seamless as possible. I can use the current water, live rock and sand in my 28 but have to fill the remaining space. If I add freshly mixed saltwater to make up the extra volume, will me tank re start a cycle? I have quite a few corals and a few fish in my 28. Tips are much appreciated on how best to do the move. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Murfman]

Water won't cause a cycle but new rock and sand will. What I would do is set up your new tank and put whatever new rock and sand in it and let it cycle. Do a big water change and use the water you take out in the new tank. Once the cycle is done I would drain some of the water out of the new tank and move your remaining rock. If you choose move the old sand and your corals, livestock to the new tank. This will minimize any cycle you might experience. Then top off with the water you drained out.