Moving from canister to sump

[ahmed24]

I am moving home and my current tank has been running for over a year which has over 110lbs or live rock, a 3inch sandbed and a canister filter full of different types of media.

At my new home I have setup a new tank with a basic sump, which works as follows:

1) water drains from drilled hole into container 1
2) from container 1 it overflows into container 2
3) from container 2 it overflows into container 3
4) from container 3 pumps back up to the tank via a UV Steralizer

The reason I am using multiple containers is due to limitations within the cabinet. Also, container 2 has a protein skimmer in it.

I have 3 questions that I need help with

1) should I put the media from my exisiting tank into the sump of the new tank on the day that I move everything? I know alot of people say no, but I am wondering that if dont, most of my bacteria will be lacking and when I move my fish into the new tank the water parameters might get messy

2) I do not want to put water heaters in the display tank and therefore am putting one in each container. Is this sufficient to maintain the temperature?

3) Finally, do I have to put powerheads to create waves in the display tank or is the return pump going to produce enough waves and aerate the water?

Many thanks

[6speedchevelle]

Originally Posted by ahmed24

I am moving home and my current tank has been running for over a year which has over 110lbs or live rock, a 3inch sandbed and a canister filter full of different types of media.

At my new home I have setup a new tank with a basic sump, which works as follows:

1) water drains from drilled hole into container 1
2) from container 1 it overflows into container 2
3) from container 2 it overflows into container 3
4) from container 3 pumps back up to the tank via a UV Steralizer

The reason I am using multiple containers is due to limitations within the cabinet. Also, container 2 has a protein skimmer in it.

I have 3 questions that I need help with

1) should I put the media from my exisiting tank into the sump of the new tank on the day that I move everything? I know alot of people say no, but I am wondering that if dont, most of my bacteria will be lacking and when I move my fish into the new tank the water parameters might get messy

-----I just made the same kind of switch, and tossed all the old media, and the tank is VERY happy.

2) I do not want to put water heaters in the display tank and therefore am putting one in each container. Is this sufficient to maintain the temperature?

-----just two heater should be sufficient, you may have to crank up the temp. a bit to maintain the temp in the display (really, one should do it..but its always good to have a back up "just in case of catastrophe")

3) Finally, do I have to put powerheads to create waves in the display tank or is the return pump going to produce enough waves and aerate the water?

-----yes, you will need some kind of extra flow in the display. most return pumps do not crank out enough to move around 75G sufficiently.

Many thanks

[Invader]

I would have to agree with the Chevelle man even though I am a Camaro fan myself. Use two of the Model 2 Koria pumps in the tank for movement. it will help with water movement around the live rock.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by Invader

I am a Camaro fan myself.

Me too! I had a 67.

[6speedchevelle]

well at least you guys like the right brand.....we all cant be perfect!

[ahmed24]

thanks for the replies. if i put two heaters (1 in each container) what would be the recommended temperature to crank up the heaters to? and i have a cooler fan that i am thinking of maybe adding. should i add the cooler fan in the 3 container or on the display tank?

[6speedchevelle]

Originally Posted by ahmed24

thanks for the replies. if i put two heaters (1 in each container) what would be the recommended temperature to crank up the heaters to? and i have a cooler fan that i am thinking of maybe adding. should i add the cooler fan in the 3 container or on the display tank?

you'll have to play with it....set them at your desired temp, and if the display temp doesn't get that high, crank it up a few degrees a day until it does.

the cooler fan may not be needed, but if its blowing on the display tank, it will work a lot better than blowing on a small container (more water surface contact) but again, you wont know if you need it until everything is set up. and you will probably only need it a few months a year