Upgrading!

[EVReef3]

hey folks,
Im upgrading from a 55 to a 90 gal. This will be my 2nd tank/1st upgrade. I just wanted to get a some information.
I want to transfer most of the corals and fish to the 90 gal, this includes some softies, Lps and sps.
I wanted to know how long can corals live in a Rubbermaid buckets with heater, water movement and light. What about fish?

I was told that transferring the water would be fine but i should start off with new sand, should i follow that rule?

My new setup will be sps dominated with some lps and very few softies if i decide to add some. Basically, it will be a mixed reef.

Is there any preference on sand? Since there will be high flow i don't want sand that can easily be disturbed.

Any suggestions? Ideas? If you have a 90 gal i would love to see pics to get ideas for rock work and such.

Cheers!

 

[nino78]

I would not start out with new substrate. Transfer what you have and add to it. I prefer aragonite. It tends to be able to handle more flow than sand. As far as how long your fish can live in the conditions that you listed I would say a couple of days.

 

[ddinox64]

When I made the move from a 30 to a 90 I went with new sand. I was informed weather right or wrong, that if you don't place it in new tank the same way it came out(layered) then you will have problems. Used as much of the water as I could. Took me about two hours for the move. I'm horrible at placing rock. Must have rearranged it a few times until I gave up. Said done. That was almost two years ago.
No new pictures but here is old. You can tell I'm a wiz with a camera too.
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/ddinox64/newestreef001.jpg

 

[Surf&turf]

Way to go King. Thats my next move as well 55 to 90.

 

[condor]

same rock and water. new sand. and good to go

 

[Bigdaddy]

wont the tank cycle with the new sand ? I am going to be doing the same thing soon and am worried about the tank cycling and killing everything ,

 

[EVReef3]

wont the tank cycle with the new sand ? I am going to be doing the same thing soon and am worried about the tank cycling and killing everything ,

Thats what i thought. But even if you use the same sand, you have to wash it thoroughly and that will most likely kill the bacteria and critters. What i was told was to try to use some of the water from current tank and new mixed Salt water for the new tank. Im sure the tank will go through a little cycle. Also, take a cup and scoop some sand off the top layer of ur sand bed and add it to the new tank when its filled.

 

[Bigdaddy]

ok thanks i am doing this tomorrow so i hope all goes well if not i am gonna cry

 

[gar732]

I switched my tank over from a 55 to a 75 back in Feb. I used the same sand, didn't even rinse it, I had no problems. It was fine sand however and it blew all over the place when I stepped up the flow for sps. I ended up removing most of the sand in the front of the tank and replacing it with caribsea arag-alive special grade reef sand. Its much better and doesn't blow around. I put all my corals in a 20G long for two days and the corals didn't like it at all and I lost a couple. Once I put them in the 75 everything looked 100% better. I put all my live rock with some tank water in a plastic trash can (new) and the rest of the water in buckets. I put the new tank in its place and filled it up. I had no noticeable cycle or anything. Here is my tank thread for some before and afters. https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/32359-gabes-piece-ocean.html