moving my 80 gal to new 220 gal - what would you do?

[estrella]

I am getting new 220 gal tank 72" x 24" x 30". I have some questions I am hoping you all can help me with. Some things you need to know... I have wood floors so water is a nigtmare, my current tank is on wheels which allows me to move it to get behind for the refugium and skimmer as well as water clean up when needed. This will not be possible with the new one, it is just too big. The tank sits with the back to my understair closet so I have the option of relocating my 80g to the closet (the "coat closet" will have to move) as the sump or I can put it in the base cabinet of the new tank. I am building my stand so it will be a bit taller than standard which will accomodate the 80g if I want. I would like to use the 80 gal as the sump since #1 it's free and #2 it's huge for a sump. I am hoping to be able to breed in there if possible and keep a nice collection of macro algae.

Questions: Should I put the sump under the stand or in the closet? Get a smaller sump? Any ideas for the floor?

I am planning to sift my crushed coral from the sugar sand when I set up the new tank. I have never been happy with the mix and this is my opportunity to get rid of it since I am going to have to disturb it anyway. The guys at the LFS in town both recomend a SSB and vacuuming the substrate regularly. This scares me since I have had really good luck with my DSB since I set it up 7 years ago. If I reestablish my DSB my plan was to add a small layers of sugar sand to the top of the bed over an extended period of time. I was told by one LFS to discard the bottom water left after the sifting and to start anew, but isn't this stuff that I have paid for (GARF Grunge) to get your DSB started.

Questions: Should I go with a DSB or an SSB? Maybe one in the sump and another in the display tank? Should I reintroduce the detritus filled water or trash it? Could I use the crushed coral to seed my DSB in the sump (to be removed later of course, i am thinking fine mesh tulle bags or something)?

Aquascaping questions: Should I use the PVC framing to set the base on to keep it off of the sand? I think I can manage the acrylic rods for the main shaping but how long can my rock be out of the water? Does silicone have to cure in the air or can it cure in the tank water?

My hood has 150w HQI MHs in it but the ballasts went out and are being replaced. I was thinking to get two more MHs for the 1' of space I have on either end of my hood if I mount it to the canopy in the center. I am not really interested in keeping alot of SPS corals because of their aggressive nature but I really like the way the light moves with MHs. The heat is definitely an issue as I already have a difficult time keeping my house as cool as I would like it.

What would you do if it were you?

80 gallon - CPR HO refugium
(2) 150w 24" 50/50 PCs, (2) 12" actinic PCs
5" DSB aragonite crushed coral mix, 80 lbs LR
Red Sea Berlin HO skimmer, (2) magnum 350

(2) A. ocellaris, mandarin goby, yellow tang, bicolor blenny, 7" leather, 4" leather, (15) mushrooms (v), (5) zoanthids

[estrella]

found some great info when doing a search for BTA's which documents a move. It was very helpful.

http://www.melevsreef.com/days127.html

[zxcv123]

I would go with brand new sand. Sifting up the sand can release harmful gas packets and alot of pooey detridus, Poo, and black/ discolored water will remain. If you want to replace youre sand bed, Take a shop vac and suck the dsb out. It will not have any impact on biological filtration if you have a sufficent #of Lr, and established filtration/ bacteria harboring filter media. The Just Gradually add brand new sand to replacre the whole thing. This is what I reccommend.

[xaoss23]

Originally Posted by estrella

Questions: Should I put the sump under the stand or in the closet? Get a smaller sump? Any ideas for the floor?

I like the idea of using the closet... this will give you more room to work with. Once you start setting up reactors/skimmers etc, youll probably be better off staying in the closet (no pun intended). lol

Originally Posted by estrella

Questions: Should I go with a DSB or an SSB? Maybe one in the sump and another in the display tank? Should I reintroduce the detritus filled water or trash it? Could I use the crushed coral to seed my DSB in the sump (to be removed later of course, i am thinking fine mesh tulle bags or something)?

If you like the DSB and havent had any issues... why change what works for you? A remote DSB isnt a bad idea either. Having the ability to remove at any point is a great convenience.

Originally Posted by estrella

Aquascaping questions: Should I use the PVC framing to set the base on to keep it off of the sand? I think I can manage the acrylic rods for the main shaping but how long can my rock be out of the water? Does silicone have to cure in the air or can it cure in the tank water?

Using PVC stands is a great idea. keeping flow thru and under the rock will help with detritus buildup. tdwyatt has some great photos of how to make them out of 4"PVC

Youll want to keep your rock out of water for as little time as possible

Silicon needs to cure OUT of water.

Originally Posted by estrella

My hood has 150w HQI MHs in it but the ballasts went out and are being replaced. I was thinking to get two more MHs for the 1' of space I have on either end of my hood if I mount it to the canopy in the center. I am not really interested in keeping alot of SPS corals because of their aggressive nature but I really like the way the light moves with MHs. The heat is definitely an issue as I already have a difficult time keeping my house as cool as I would like it.

Are you running cooling fans in your canopy? Adding more MHs will only increase your problem. Make sure you have adequate circulation. Fans will also help with evaporative cooling.

[xaoss23]

...oh yeah, and I would use all new sand. Save yourself a cup or two of the old to seed the new sandbed. 7years of buildup is going to cause all kinds of problems if you try to reuse.

[Reefer Dude]

I would save the top 1/2" to 1" of sand and get rid of the rest. with the top inch you will get most of the benefit of bacteria and will not have to cycle the tank as long.

[Fly Guy]

I just put a 100 gallon sump under my 220 and put a small hole in the wall (that cant be seen)so my power supply, calcium reactor, and chiller goes in the closet right next to it.

Agree witht the new sand, i wouldnt seed it with more than a handful or two of already live IF you must.

Go with dsb, your tank is way past the size break of when a ssb makes sense IMO.

You say you want to use the acrylic rods and pvc........... No silicone required for a lift that is easier to stack with confidence in the stability as well as allows for more freedom of water flow AND looks better to boot than standard pvc rock lifts here. http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70387

[Hardhead Cat]

Throw away all of your old sand, it will be poisonous once stirred up. Start with a couple of bags of LIVE sand, then add the regular play sand and it will all be live soon. Seeding with two bags of LIVE sand will help in the long run with the cycle. I would put the sump in the closet if you are worried about the floors getting wet.
I broke down and put PVC stands under my LR about two months ago. It was a day-long project but well worth it, I've seen my flow increase in the tank itself and MUCH less detritus when I puff with the turkey baster. It's a good idea, IMO.

HHC