Upgrading tank soon, some tips or suggestions?

[Slippery K]

Hey everyone. I apologize in advance for this lengthy post, but i want to make sure I cover everything iv been thinking about for this new setup.Tips and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. So heres the rundown.

I will be taking down my 120gal and setting up a 200gal in the same spot the 120 is in. So i have a few concerns about doing this as i have never done something like this in 1 day. So here we go.

1. What is the best way to store the water while im doing this? (I was thinking picking up a large garbage can or 2 on wheels to store most the water while the change is taking place, also, should i keep my heater running in the can to keep the water same temp? -cold basement )

2. What is the best way to safely remove a 18" rck to a holding container? (was thinking a rubbermaid container filled with tank water)

3. I want to add pool filter sand (non silica) as substrate in the new tank. Whats the best way to pre-clean the sand? And will my water be cloudy after adding the sand in? And when should I add it? (after the tank is full, midway full or before any water?)

4. For filtration I will keep the two Emperor 400's i have running to keep the bio-bacteria, and will be adding a large canister filter as well (dont want this tank to run through a cycle if possible).

5. Will the 80g water difference shock my fish at all? or will it just seem like a large water change + a new home? (will be de-chlorinated of course)

I may have forgotten a few things, so I may need to post more questions. Iv never done something like this. All my other tanks are smaller - growout tanks so its only fish into that tank and so on. Any tips or suggestions on how to make a change like this would be greatly appreciated, as I want to keep my fish happy and safe during this process. I will have a friend or two helping me during the process to cut down on the time and labour.

 

[Slippery K]

No comments or suggestions?

 

[everlastace]

My phone hides the original while I'm typing so I'll try to remember some of it! For the RCK, the best way will probably be to put a towel over him and grab around it. Then just put him in a container, I upgraded recently and I went to Walmart and bought the $5, 18 gallon plastic tubs. Got 5 of those and filled them with water and plants.

The 80 gallon difference shouldn't be a shock. A 50% water change is safe and I do them weekly (when I stay on top of things). Dechlorinate and get temp close and you should be fine.

To rinse the sand, put some of it in one of the tubs, fill the tub with the hose and stir the sand up while filling. Poor the water out of the tub, slowly enough to keep the sand in the tub, then fill it up again and again until the water starts being clear. When you put the sand in the tank, after rinsing it, if you put it in before any water, it will cloud your water less.

Good luck! Keep us posted with pics!

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[Slippery K]

I was thinking of pre cleaning the sand the a few days before before making the change, so I can rinse it out with tank water during a water change. Or would it be better just to clean it the day before with dechlorinated tap water?

Or maybe buy anextra rubbermaid container or two and rinse it out in the backyard with the garden hose. Probably quicker that way. I expect this whole change over should at least take a couple hours if I do everything properly and carefuly.

 

[everlastace]

I just rinsed mine with the garden hose. Much faster. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to use fish water from changes to do it, but you are going to need a TON of water. I rinsed 100lbs of sand and it probably took about 200 gallons of water to do it. If you are mostly filling the new tank with your old tank water, you shouldn't need to worry about getting the bacteria into the sand beforehand. Especially if you are going to move your filters and such to the new tank.

 

[Excedrin102]

I read somewhere that after cleaning sand to keep it at room temp because if you use cold or hot water the sand will hold that temp for so many hours when you put it in the tank.Like I said I read it somewhere.I'm new to sand myself and waiting for the other 150 lbs to come so I can finish washing.I found it to be relaxing for some odd reason.


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[Slippery K]

Ok so looks like the garden hose will be the best and quickest way to clean the sand. I will be going out this weekend to pick up some wood to make a stand, I recently got in touxh with my dads carpenter friend who said he'll drop by in a few weeks to have a look at the drawings and specs of the stand I made. I also printed off some pictures of other peoples stands on this site to help aid in the building process.

Thank you for your imput everlastace, it was very helpful. Let me kow if youhave any more tips or ideas to share. And I will definatly take pics of the change taking place. Maybe it could be of some use to someone else making a change like this in the near future.

 

[Slippery K]

I read somewhere that after cleaning sand to keep it at room temp because if you use cold or hot water the sand will hold that temp for so many hours when you put it in the tank.Like I said I read it somewhere.I'm new to sand myself and waiting for the other 150 lbs to come so I can finish washing.I found it to be relaxing for some odd reason.


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Well im hoping with the garden hose idea, I will be able to let it sit outside for a while (if the weathers nice - live in and let the sun warm it up. canada)

 

[Slippery K]

I read somewhere that after cleaning sand to keep it at room temp because if you use cold or hot water the sand will hold that temp for so many hours when you put it in the tank.Like I said I read it somewhere.I'm new to sand myself and waiting for the other 150 lbs to come so I can finish washing.I found it to be relaxing for some odd reason.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Well im hoping with the garden hose idea, I will be able to let it sit outside for a while (if the weathers nice - I live in ontario) and hopfuly the sun can warm it up.

 

[Loginthesand]

i used the garden hose idea myself but with a slight variation, i poured a small amount of the sand into a old pillow case and stuck the hose in then stuck my arm in and moved the sand around until it was running out clear clear. ruins the pillow case but works well. also when filling the tank have all the rinsed sand in before any water and place a plate onto of the sand and pour all your water over the plate, so as not to disturb the sand. good luck.