dmolavi
Aquarium Advice Addict
Well, the WAF (wife acceptance factor) of my 20 has reached the point where she wants to not only relocate the reef tank, but make it bigger. (Bigger is better, she says...hahaha)
I've ordered a 40 breeder tank and stand from my LFS for a price I couldn't refuse. I plan on utilizing the HOB skimmer and filter (I run phosguard and RoX carbon in it) from the existing tank. I will need a bigger heater.
A few questions:
1. Will my two Hydor Nano 425s provide enough flow? If not, would the Evolution 600s suffice? I use the Hydor smartwave to alternate the pumps and vary the flow, so they aren't on at the same time.
2. (You knew this was coming...) A sump. I know the more water, the better, but is a sump considered "required" for a 40? If so, would my existing 20 (high, not long) be sufficient? I also have a 10 gallon tank that could be used. I'd probably relocate the skimmer and HOB to the sump if I use one.
3. If I use a sump, is the BeanAnimal overflow overkill? Or would some other method be considered "better" for a 40?
Regarding the transfer from my existing 20 (which has some turf algae on the rock, so I'm going to use fresh dry rock from BRS), here's my plan:
1. Day 0
Thoughts, suggestions, comments, criticisms?
I've ordered a 40 breeder tank and stand from my LFS for a price I couldn't refuse. I plan on utilizing the HOB skimmer and filter (I run phosguard and RoX carbon in it) from the existing tank. I will need a bigger heater.
A few questions:
1. Will my two Hydor Nano 425s provide enough flow? If not, would the Evolution 600s suffice? I use the Hydor smartwave to alternate the pumps and vary the flow, so they aren't on at the same time.
2. (You knew this was coming...) A sump. I know the more water, the better, but is a sump considered "required" for a 40? If so, would my existing 20 (high, not long) be sufficient? I also have a 10 gallon tank that could be used. I'd probably relocate the skimmer and HOB to the sump if I use one.
3. If I use a sump, is the BeanAnimal overflow overkill? Or would some other method be considered "better" for a 40?
Regarding the transfer from my existing 20 (which has some turf algae on the rock, so I'm going to use fresh dry rock from BRS), here's my plan:
1. Day 0
a. Set up new tank.
2. Day X (when I get the stuff)
a. Install circulation pumps, heater.
b. Add dry rock to tank.
c. Add water.
d. Cure for 6-8 weeks.
3. Day X+56b. Add dry rock to tank.
c. Add water.
d. Cure for 6-8 weeks.
a. Remove water.
b. Aquascape rock
c. Add sand.
d. Add water.
e. Move clownfish, cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp and goby to 40G.
f. Clean skimmer and HOB
g. Move skimmer, HOB, ATO to 40G.
h. Move electrical panel to 40G.
4. Day X+57b. Aquascape rock
c. Add sand.
d. Add water.
e. Move clownfish, cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp and goby to 40G.
f. Clean skimmer and HOB
g. Move skimmer, HOB, ATO to 40G.
h. Move electrical panel to 40G.
a. Remove water, rock, and sand from 20G tank.
b. Clean corals.
c. Quarantine corals until 0 PO4 and no algae.
5. Day X+Y (when the corals look algae free)b. Clean corals.
c. Quarantine corals until 0 PO4 and no algae.
a. Move corals, snails, hermits.
The reason I'm QT'ing the corals is there is some algae on them, and I don't want it tranferred to the new tank. I already do large weekly PWCs (on the order of 10 gallons), and only feed twice a week, a single mysis to each fish (two clowns and a goby). I'm not sure where the turf algae is coming from, but I'd rather not start with it in the new tank.
Thoughts, suggestions, comments, criticisms?