Tank Transfer...?

Raven312

Raven312

Member
I'm going to start a build thread for this tank but since I'm in the final planning stages I have one big question. I'm changing from a 65 gallon with sump to 75 gallon with sump. When I moved from my Biocube 29 to the 65 gallon I experienced a big cycle and lost a few things (didn't expect that!). Now that I know better I'm using all (mostly) new sand in the 75 with a handful or two from the 65 to help seed it. I'll move over some of my rock that doesn't have corals on it and let those endure the cycle. I'm planning to cycle this tank so that I will know what to expect.
Now, my question... Since I'm leaving my current tank up until this one cycles and using the hardware from the 65, do I need a return pump or will power heads suffice to help it get going? Thanks for any input / suggestions.
 
Power heads will work fine, no problem. Your thread is right on time, we're also in the process of moving from a 65 with sump to a seventy five.
Complicating things, our new tank is going to be occupying the same space as the current DT.
Right now we're thinking about cycling the rock in another container, like a trash can, that maybe a better option. We also plan on using all new live sand.
Fortunately most of our coral sits safely in a ten gallon quarantine tank & we can move it over anytime.


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If you're only using a little sand to seed the 75 you shouldn't have any cycle at all. I'm guessing that you used all of the sand from your 29 into the 65 and that could have been the cause of your big cycle.

But back your original question: if you're cycling a tank with a sump use the return pump so that the surfaces inside the new sump will also build bacteria.
 
Trackfast, that's exactly what happened. 1fishjones, because they're in different parts of the room I can leave the 65 going for a while until the 75 is totally ready. I was concerned because of how I managed (or mismanaged) the last transfer and had that cycle. I decided to be overly cautious this time and cycle the tank on its own before moving anything over. It sounds like I can safely transfer everything since I'm leaving the sand behind, so I'll keep the powerheads going in the old tank, move the hardware (return pump, heater, protein skimmer) from the current sump over to the new sump, move the rock over, let the water heat up and go for it. I know to watch my parameters closely and not take anything for granted this time.
 
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