| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Guests 
Guest Group
Pet Store
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: rookie needing help
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:03pm |
|
I have a 55 gallon aquarium now and am upgrading to a 150 gallon that I'm picking up this weekend. I plan on transfering the sand, rock and fish from the 55 gallon to the new one. I'm kind of new at this any suggestions?
|
 |
DutchDude
Guest
Joined: August 16 2002
Location: Draper, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 166
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:35pm |
Get lots of towels, buckets and Tupperware 
Start preparing RO water in some 45 gallon trash cans now. Mix in the salt the day prior and keep a little pump in there for circulation. Then it kinda depends on where your new aquarium goes, and if it sits in the same place as your 55. If so then you will need to get one of those 50 gallon blue bins from Walmart - or borrow mine - to transfer all the stuff from the 55 before you can move it. Because of the large surface area you can still see your rock and coral and decide where you want to put them in the new aquarium. Then just scope out the sand into the new one, mix it good with the new sand to seed it, slowly add the new water to halfway. Then add your rock (some people also like to set some base rock on the glass bottom so it will never shift from digging animals, so decide that for yourself before adding sand). Then add your old water - since your animals are used to this and top it off.
Then start praying nothing dies 
|
|
kd7hfw
Guest
Joined: February 25 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 84
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:47pm |
Last Saturday I transfered my 35 gallon into a 55 gallon. Not quite as big of a move as you are making ....... but the biggest suggestion I have is have a couple of friends (that know what they are doing) come and give you a hand. I had 3 buddies help me, and it made all the difference.
I would offer to give you a hand, but I will be in Moab all weekend - sorry 
|
|
You shouldn't be afraid of noises in the dark.
Anything that wants to cause you harm will stalk you silently.
|
|
Guests
Guest Group
Pet Store
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:49pm |
|
I have about 60 pounds of coral substrate. How much new do I need to buy and can it be regular sand or does it need to be live sand whats the best way to go?
|
|
kd7hfw
Guest
Joined: February 25 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 84
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:49pm |
|
oh yeah ..... I still have some rock and sand from a trip I made with Mark last weekend. You are welcome to it, if you need it. I will be in town until Thursday. After that you can call Roger (kfowler). PM me if you want the phone numbers
|
|
You shouldn't be afraid of noises in the dark.
Anything that wants to cause you harm will stalk you silently.
|
|
Guests
Guest Group
Pet Store
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 3:59pm |
|
I don't have any corals yet...just fish. Do I need to use RO water or can I get by with tap water?
|
|
ssilcox
Guest
Joined: November 17 2003
Location: Sandy
Status: Offline
Points: 3428
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 4:03pm |
|
If you use tap water just be prepared for an algae bloom...
|
|
Guests
Guest Group
Pet Store
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 4:08pm |
|
I dont know what that is. Been using tap water for evap. and water changes on current tank and it seems alright. If using RO water is important for this project though let me know and I'll spend the money. Just need good advise I'm kind of new at this.
|
|
DutchDude
Guest
Joined: August 16 2002
Location: Draper, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 166
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 4:09pm |
|
If you don't want an algae bloom - then use RO water. You still will probably get a little bit, but it will be less then with regular tab water. If you do end up using regular tab water, make sure you treat it for the chlorine. The sand from your old tank will seed the new sand - so just use a good grade aragonite. How much you use is up to you and how deep of a sand bed you would like to create. I did a 4 inch sand bed on my 210, but if you read previous posts, the opinions range from none at all, to "just cover the bottom for looks", to about 6 inches. You would probably need another 2*40 lbs bags of aragonite.
|
|
Guests
Guest Group
Pet Store
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 4:14pm |
|
Thanks for the advice. Where's the best place to buy the sand?
|
|
Weimers
Guest
Joined: January 01 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2080
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 16 2004 at 5:37pm |
If it were me, I'd call a few of the local stores & see what they charge for a 40lb bag of aragonite. If you want to match the old sand, then grab a few grains and go see what the stores have got. I've heard good things about Mark's free Utah sand, though. 
Renee
|
|
Renee and Damon Weimer
Tankless in Hawaii
|
|
Carl
Guest
Joined: September 17 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1346
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 17 2004 at 9:38am |
JakeH, I transferred from a 29 into a 125 about 4 months ago. I basically had them side by side, used Utah rock and sand, added about 10 gallons of water from my existing system, topped off with RO, added about 1lb of sand from my existing system, a couple of pieces of LR and let the system run for just short of a week. Added a cleanup crew, checked the parameters and changed everything over. Pretty simple actually. You have everything there in your 55 to convert a brand new, sterile tank into a seeded and bio-packed ecosystem in short time.
There is thought that tap water is more than suitable for marine aquariums. I have noticed a difference since I started using only RO, but there may be other factors involved, I don't know. I think that the maintenance is less personally, but whatever works for you.
A siphon, buckets, towels on the floor and a bit of patience and you're generally good to go. You WILL get an algae bloom, but it is going to be ok. I just let mine go and made the cleanup crew fat & happy. After a week or so it was done. Algae isn't always bad. If you need help, let me know.
|
|
In Syracuse
"I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
|
|
jglover
Guest
Joined: February 10 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 576
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 17 2004 at 10:02am |
 jakeh7056 wrote:
I dont know what that is. Been using tap water for evap. and water changes on current tank and it seems alright. If using RO water is important for this project though let me know and I'll spend the money. Just need good advise I'm kind of new at this. |
Did anyone give you an explaination on what an algae bloom is check out "bacteria or algae," under filtration menu you'll see my hideous tank filled with cyano you'll get a bloom, most likely also check out "Help my tank is turning green," on the form as well.
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 17 2004 at 12:55pm |
|
Since Jakeh7056 lives in Centerville, I invite him to come see the 180 I set up and take care of. It uses a water that is in between the quality of tapwater and R.O. water. It looks great, IMO.
Mark 296-1563
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
|
sjlopez39
Guest
Joined: January 18 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 479
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 17 2004 at 8:58pm |
|
Also when placing the sand in the tank, I believe the live sand is best sprinkled on top of the new sand, covering as much area as possible.
I used this method when I started up a new tank and it seemed to work well.
|
|
Keep your hands and arms inside the tank and enjoy the ride!
Steve
|
|
