Swapping out a tank

[jason7274]

I have a question or maybe a few questions. I currently have a 36gal bowfront which we got for free from a neighbor. It has been up and running for a little over 2 months and everything is looking good. Our four fish and a few coral frags appear to be thriving. However, I want a bigger tank. If I went with a 40B or 55 using everything in my current tank plus another bag of substrate, 10lbs of LR and water, would it have to cycle again? Would params spike or potentially spike? I’m just curious if anyone has experience doing this. I’d like a bigger tank, but don’t have the budget for 2 setups right now.

 

[lmm1967]

Transfer everything, including water, you should not experience a cycle

be safe just in case and prepare for a couple 20 gallon water changes just in case.

personally when I have gone this I swap out at least half the sand with fresh, new sand that has been rinsed very well.

 

[drnecropolis]

I have a question or maybe a few questions. I currently have a 36gal bowfront which we got for free from a neighbor. It has been up and running for a little over 2 months and everything is looking good. Our four fish and a few coral frags appear to be thriving. However, I want a bigger tank. If I went with a 40B or 55 using everything in my current tank plus another bag of substrate, 10lbs of LR and water, would it have to cycle again? Would params spike or potentially spike? I’m just curious if anyone has experience doing this. I’d like a bigger tank, but don’t have the budget for 2 setups right now.

Sidenote:


Don't do a 55 gallon, you will most likely not be happy with the dang rock work.

Being so shallow front to back, its hard to get the aquascape done and not have the rock on the front of the glass..

Roll.with the 40b, that little bit of extra space makes it so much better.

 

[jason7274]

Sidenote:


Don't do a 55 gallon, you will most likely not be happy with the dang rock work.

Being so shallow front to back, its hard to get the aquascape done and not have the rock on the front of the glass..

Roll.with the 40b, that little bit of extra space makes it so much better.

Thanks for the advice. I really prefer the size/shape of the 40B as well. One of the issues with my current tank is the rock is about an inch from the back and front glass. Having a wider and longer tank without the bow should give me a lot more open space to work with.

 

[lmm1967]

Thanks for the advice. I really prefer the size/shape of the 40B as well. One of the issues with my current tank is the rock is about an inch from the back and front glass. Having a wider and longer tank without the bow should give me a lot more open space to work with.

I have a 40b on a stand, drilled on the back with a (almost) coast to coast overflow - and I can add in a properly sized sump - if you're interested let me know. I'll have to dig it out of the garage and get photos.

I ran this as a little mixed reef for 18+ months with zero issues. I would sell it for $150.00.

 

[Cook]

It looks like you found your upgrade to me. How will you go about the transfer? Can you afford the room to set the new tank up and move the contents at that point or will you need to break down the current tank and set the new tank up in it's place? Both are fine options, but need different planning. Regardless, I would rinse the existing sand well before moving it to the new tank. I would also rinse the live rock with some of the tank water in a bucket to remove any detritus, if any, that may be stirred up by moving them. Two months isn't a lot of time to accumulate much yet though.

 

[90gDreams]

I'd also do the 40b or go up to a 75/90/110. 55 I think I ran a 55 for a month before punching out to go to a 90. Reef equivalent of an ant farm.

 

[timeconsumer]

Another option: a very underrated tank size is the 50. It's basically a 40 breeder but 2 inches taller.

 

[silentdeath5]

Another option: a very underrated tank size is the 50. It's basically a 40 breeder but 2 inches taller.

Yep, my first saltwater tank was something like 50-60 gallons in a 40 breeder footprint and was a great beginner tank

 

[jason7274]

Thanks all, I’ve decided on the 40gal breeder. Now, I’m questioning the lighting. I went to a LFS for my bowfront and was told 2 Kessil A80 lights would be perfect, so that’s what I got. After researching, I’m not sure they were perfect for my bowfront and maybe worse for the 40gal breeder. I’m only planning the have softies and LPS. What do you think? I’d prefer not to buy more lights. I may just need to trade them out

 

[90gDreams]

A80s are pretty weak but softies have been grown successfully since the power compact days and *some* LPS aren't very demanding. Maybe give them a go since you have them already. You will be selling them for a loss either way, might as well put your money to work for a little while. I'd stay clear of advice from that LFS in the future though.

 

[jason7274]

Would adding a third help? Or should I save my money for now? What are better light options?

 

[90gDreams]

I wouldn't do a third, that seems like throwing good money after bad. If you are only two months deep in this hobby and upgrading you probably will be upping it again in another 6 months or year, get some good lights then. For now I'd suggest stay the course with easy corals under the a80s and gear up to battle the coming new tank battles and learning curves with what you have on hand. If in a few months you want to stay w/ a 40b long term and that's the tank you're marrying then plan out your end goals for coral desires and buy lighting accordingly.

 

[ZapataInc]

@scottw is the distributor for Noopsyche lights. He is local in Cumming.

https://www.noopsycheusa.com/

 

[90gDreams]

@scottw is the distributor for Noopsyche lights. He is local in Cumming.

https://www.noopsycheusa.com/

Ahhhh now I get why noops are so popular on here. Had no idea he was around the corner. If I ever give up my halides I'll give him a shout instead of going viparspectra.

 

[zoasandpalys]

Honestly I would try to take the lights back if I was still in a 30 day window from the time I bought them. Also your odds of them taking them back is good if you get the new lights from them so they are not loosing the sale. Just saying it would be worth a shot to me

 

[tkallday]

Did you do the swap? I'd recommend not touching your sand. go with new if you want to avoid a lot of needless headache and sorrows.

 

[jason7274]

Thanks all! Swap was pretty straight forward. I ended up replacing about 2/3 of the water and sand. Overall, it went well. I thought my Firefish wasn’t going to make it, but she pulled through. Everyone seems to be doing well.

 

[jason7274]

I wouldn't do a third, that seems like throwing good money after bad. If you are only two months deep in this hobby and upgrading you probably will be upping it again in another 6 months or year, get some good lights then. For now I'd suggest stay the course with easy corals under the a80s and gear up to battle the coming new tank battles and learning curves with what you have on hand. If in a few months you want to stay w/ a 40b long term and that's the tank you're marrying then plan out your end goals for coral desires and buy lighting accordingly.

Yeah, I’ve gone back and forth. I’m not buying anything at the moment. Softies are doing well, but I’ll probably need more light soon. I was talking with a guy at Nemo’s and they use Nicrews which are compatible with my controller, so I may look at swapping out with those. Although T5 hybrids are still a possibility.