Time to upgrade

[Jspires688]

I have a 36 gallon and want to upgrade to 55 do I have to set it up and cycle it or can I set it up and use my rock and water and just go

 

[mr_X]

you can set it up, use your rock and water and just go. i would monitor parameters for a couple weeks and have a couple water changes ready just in case you have a spike from disrupting everything in the 36.
before you make the jump to a 55, i would like to suggest a 75. it's a night and day difference. the 55 is too narrow front to back. it's a real pain to aquascape and most just end up piling rocks up against the back wall.

btw, you will get a diatom bloom from the new surfaces.

 

[carey]

I recently moved a 29g to a 55g and just used all the lr from the 29g and bought all new sand for the 55g. If you have a cycled tank now you should have an almost cycled tank afterwards. I am also working on a biocube that I added lr to along with base rock. I'm waiting to see if I get a mini cycle.

Hope that helped!

Good luck!

 

[Jspires688]

Thanks for the advice I would love to go with a 75 but don't have the room

 

[carey]

X is so right. I really really wish I had gone with the 75g but whats done is done. You just don't have the extra rockscapeing room but I found my 55g keeps me quite happy for now.

 

[iDream]

Thanks for the advice I would love to go with a 75 but don't have the room

It's the same width and height, it's just deeper

 

[Jspires688]

Weight is another issue a 55 will be pushing it 75 will probably be to much I have heard of people having to brace their floor to hold their tank I don't want to do that

 

[MrPeon99]

I'm no engineer, but if you're having to worry about pushing the floor limit with a 55 gal, something is probably wrong. You could call someone to inspect your place and see how much weight your floor is able to support. I have a 150 gallon in my dining room. I put cinder blocks underneath the floor because the two main supports for the place run down the sides of the house and nothing runs down the center. I also have a 55 gal in the bed room.

 

[mr_X]

i agree. a 75 gallon tank is nothing for a second floor, providing the house is not falling down as it is. put it near a load bearing wall across a few beams and you'll be fine.
i had a 200 gallon system in a 2nd floor apartment for a couple years with no problem.

 

[Jspires688]

Ok you guys have convinced me I made an offer on a 75 gallon I am just waiting on a reply I hope it's accepted I can't wait for it

 

[iDream]

You'll be glad you got it over the 55

 

[Jspires688]

I think so I hope the guy sells it to me