Upgrading!

[Maxthecat]

Hey! So im about to move and i figured that i might as well upgrade since im already disassembling my tank. Im going from 30g to around 60-75g.

Im looking to get a sump, or refuguim for it. What sould i avoid doing and kind of system do you guys have??

[fihsboy]

go with the 75. get you two good 150 halides and 4 T5HO's to go over it. Octopus extreme skimmer and make sure the tank is reef ready. Go with a 33 long as a sump....and your talking searious setup there.

[Maxthecat]

whar do you meen by reef ready? the water?

[quader94]

reef ready is a term that means that the tank itself is drilled instead of having a overflow box

[Maxthecat]

lol dont know why i asked, i should of known

[Loverotties]

It happends!

[Maxthecat]

should i get fresh LR or get it from someone going out of the hobby?

[motorslave]

I would say get new unless you know the tank and its history. In order to save some cash you could even go the Marco rocks route and get a bunch of dry rock and seed it with a little Live. If you get something from a tank being broke down consider cooking it to be safe.

[Loverotties]

+1

[Fat Tony]

Yep, a 75RR tank will be a good tank to make the upgrade to. For your sump (unless you are going to a custom stand) a 30 long will be about the largest you will be able to fit under it. DIY sumps are easy and cheap to make yourself (in relation to custom and prebuilt)

I suggest the Marco rock route (their Largo Rock looks really good for the money, I bought the Fiji back when they were still getting the good stuff) and then use your exhisting rock to seed the dry marco rock with. Best of luck!

BTW, new sand.... never use the old (unless it is really new, say a couple months old or less)

[Maxthecat]

I went and checked out the marco rocks, seems like a good deal, so i guess i would add the 30pds I have now to 40pds of dry marco rocks, that would work as a good filter?

And i have a starfish, would it die if i use completely new sand?

[Loverotties]

You want to have 1 - 1 1/2# per gallon.And I'd waite on the starfish till you are done cycling.

[Maxthecat]

so you meen i cant put corals or anything in it while its cycling? even with alot of water change and skimming?

[fihsboy]

It can be done.......I just did it. But take it from me.....its a PAIN. You dont want to. I would setup a QT tank with good filtration to hold your corals.....your going to want to wait it out.

[Fat Tony]

Buyt he marco rock and soak it for a while and see if you get any readings on the water for the normal cycle traits. If no sign of Amm, Trites and Trates, you can add it to the tank with you other LR and let the tank go through the mini cycle fromt he move. When you move the rock from the otehr tank, keep it wet (5 gallon buckets work great) and you should have a very small. or no cycle at all.