Upgrade next weekend

[evilskudd]

Ok, I'm gonna describe what is going to happen, an I would like some feedback/recommendations if something I am going to do isn't optimal. I have a 37 gal cube and a 55 ( ill include pics at the end). The 37 gallon reef and is running a hob Aqueon 75 , a kessil blue, and a dual t5 20" strip, the skimmer is a coralife 65. The 55 is a reef as well, running a marineland canister (not the 530, the one below it) one ai sol blue, the skimmer is the hob bakpak. Plans are to combine the two into one, a 90 gallon deep blue. Here is where I run into my first problem. I want to use the sand from both tanks instead of getting new sand, how do I get the sand out of the tanks without killing all corals or fish? Then once that sand is in the 90, how long should I wait until I transfer everything else? All the rock with corals and fish and inverts ? For filtration, I am going to take a 40 breeder for a sump, and I want to incorporate a fuge, but how can I do this? And should I use the t5 fixture for the fuge? It had one actinic bulb and one 10k bulb. Would the coralife skimmer be good for in the sump? I don't want to over skim this tank, as the coralife is only on a 37 gallon right now, and I run it 24/7. Any suggestions or changes will be happily concidered and more than likely used. Thanks for everyone's time in advance.
The first two picks are the two tanks that will be combined, the other three pics are just pics of some things in one of the tanks. Again, thanks and any help will be well appreciated.

 

[B.BASH]

scott if you want i can take a look at what your doing im sure other si reefers would be willing to help out also

 

[evilskudd]

Ok, I appreciate that, I'm waiting on my tank to arrive, once I get it and work on location and a stand I will call in this offer

 

[marklugo23]

always glad to help

 

[Lenny718]

Count me in Scott , must have done 20 tank transfers so I kinda have it down to science

 

[JonnyJ]

Scott, There is a couple of options.

Option 1, [best option, what i personally would do] buy or a borrow a 40 breeder or something similar and transfer over all of your livestock [fish & coral] temporarily. You can keep some of your rock submerged in buckets for the time being if you cannot fit it all in the 40.

Then break down both of your setups and rinse your current sand extremely well. Once cleaned you can set up the 90 with the clean sand and fresh water and any rock that you couldn't fit. Then proceed with the transfer once the 90 is stable [salinity,temp,ph etc]. you can acclimate by mixing water if you like.


Option 2, For the next couple of weeks siphon out your current sand bed in small sections while doing water changes. This will take time and money on salt.


I wouldn't rush anything and would plan it out. People forget that when they are upgrading, that they are doing it for an improvement. Rushing will only cause problems. Let me know if you need help.

-Jonny

 

[evilskudd]

Well I am waiting on the tank, it is coming Friday. I have time to plan this out, which is why I'm trying to get some opinions now, an hopefully by Friday I will have a well formulated plan and will be able to do this with no hiccups... How do I rinse the sand?

 

[B.BASH]

First prepare water for a water change when ready with a gravel cleaner siphon the sand into a 5 gal bucket do this slow so you dont release toxins in the sand bed into the tank after its in the bucket simply rinse with fresh water until its clean

 

[evilskudd]

That's it? Fresh water, dump it, continue until clean? Sounds simple enough.

 

[marklugo23]

do it with a hose outside, dig the hose to the bottom of the bucket and that will help get out most of the stuff