upgrade from 55 to 75 or 120

dvdj65 · 01-11-2008, 02:13 PM

OK when we first started posting one of the things people told us was that we would soon desire a larger tank well that came to pass and now that's exactly what we want to do. But my question is how to you transfer everything from one tank to another without killing something. the new tank will go where the old tank is now so I was thinking that I would put the corals and other small stuff in the sump but what about the fish. Do they go into other tubs with waterfrom the old tanks or should they go into the prepared water for the new tank or should I take the water out of the old tank and put it into the new tank? soooo, many questions

luvmylo · 01-11-2008, 02:15 PM

ur gonna wanna keep as much of your old water as you can to make the transition as comfy as possible for your guys. that means investing in alot of rubbermaids. in the containers that have the rm's i would put a powerhead and a heater to keep them cozy while doing this chore.

fish.freak · 01-11-2008, 03:33 PM

Go to a 120, w/ the 55 as a sump. A 75 wont appease the upgrade bug for long...

YLChik · 01-11-2008, 03:36 PM

I agree with Fish freak

luvmylo · 01-11-2008, 03:39 PM

go with the BIGGEST setup you can possibly afford or.......... get another tank and start another kind of tank. I did that. after my 55 softie I decided to do a 50 gal sps and 90 gal FO. i'm enjoying it.

fish.freak · 01-11-2008, 03:41 PM

if you go to the 120 you may want to set it and cycle it before the transfer since it is more than 2x the volume.

dvdj65 · 01-11-2008, 03:53 PM

you know we were already thinking will a 25gallon increase be enough, but the problem is room. if we keep the 55 going and cycle the 120 I don't know where we'd put them both we have enough trouble keeping 5 munchkins under 7 yrs old out of the sump as it is. =)

luvmylo · 01-11-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvdj65

we have enough trouble keeping 5 munchkins under 7 yrs old out of the sump as it is. =)

I don't see how you can afford a goldfish bowl

Fly Guy · 01-11-2008, 03:55 PM

the 120 isnt any wider either so doesnt take up all that much more space, but the extra width will give you TONS of better aquascaping choices

fish.freak · 01-11-2008, 04:58 PM

you could cycle some water and rock in the garage or basement w/ some new LR

depitch · 01-11-2008, 06:20 PM

My

I have a 75 Gallon reef tank with HOB overflow that will be upgraded to a 90 Gallon reef ready, thanks to my lovely wife and kids.

They are the same width so if your Leary about the 120 that could be an option.

I also have a 120 acrylic FOWLR tank.

Fat Tony · 01-11-2008, 06:32 PM

i went from a 55 to a 75... it really is a big increase comparatively to the 55. i have alot more room in the 75 than i did in the 55. i like a lot of room around the rock, adn in the 55 it was about 2" max in the front tof the tank and in the back of the tank. i have at least 5'6" now in front and back of the 75... i think this will be the largest tank i will go to for several years. the thought of a 125 or 135 had crossed my mind before i bought this setup ( i had a great deal set on one, but just did not have room for a 6' tank) if you are thinking of the 120, just pull your 55 out from the wall another 12" and that is the space it will take up, i did not have room for that, but it would surely be nice to have. a 120 is a really nice size tank, and would have been my choice if i had not found the deal i got on the 75

bogey · 01-11-2008, 07:21 PM

If you decide to go to a 75 or even a 90 instead of a 120, and you need to buy another skimmer or other equipment, it is a good idea to oversize it so you don't have to buy it all over again. Once the bug bites, its hard to resist getting a larger and larger tanks.

dvdj65 · 01-11-2008, 07:45 PM

Tony, I can get a good deal at aquarium oddities in mauldin. I looked in the iwanna for a used tank with no result, but I am not sure we can afford the rock to fill a 120 after paying for the tank. as far as the skimmer they also sell fission skimmers there that are priced well, I know I have to upgrade my skimmer because all I have now is a seaclone 100.

Geoff · 01-11-2008, 07:59 PM

step one get a skimmer capable of supporting the 120.

if done right you do not need to have both of them setup at the same time. as long as you do not add any new LR at the time of the switchover then all will go fine by just moving from one tank to the other.

you will need to move as much of the water from the 55 as you can without disturbing the sand/rocks/fish. this may entail a bunch of really annoyed critters and corals, but they will be fine out of water for just a few minutes. the corals i mean. as the corals and LR become exposed to the air remove them and put them on the floor. the corals you can put in one of the containers you were draining the water to. the object to keep the water as clean as possible. have a bucket of ASW close at hand so that you can rinse the LR in as you take it out before putting it in on the floor. at some point the water will start to get mucky from the the fish, this is when you stop pulling the water and just get the fish. there should be a lot less water in the tank so catching them should be pretty easy.

you will also need to make up plenty of ASW to fill the tank back up.

remove the old tank put the new on in. start filling it with as much of the old water as possible then start adding critters. then top off with the ASW. turn everything on. easy breeze.

G~