From one tank to another...

[reeferj]

For the folks who have swapped livestock from tank to tank, what are keys to success, tips, redo's, and prep ideas you would suggest. Thanks

 

[jt955]

i would recomend new substrate, and if you are going to use any new live rock make sure it is fully cured, or add it slowly over a long period of time so you dont have to fully cycle the new tank, other than that as quickly as possible. just have enough water ready matched to your current water parameters.

 

[cr500_af]

Good advice from dawgdude... but if, like I did, you are putting tank 2 in the same spot as tank 1, some of it won't work. In that case what I've learned is:

Set up QT for all livestock
Have more water/rock holding vessels than you think you need
Have more new water made up than you think you need
Allow twice as much time as you think you need
A large HOB filter or two is excellent for temporary use after you cloud the water from the substrate
An extra heater is nice to get things warm faster
(the last two are directly related to the one about time!)
As stated, use new sand (but clean it well ahead of time)
Have a helper lined up

I wish I'd thought of all those before I did the 13 hour tank swap...