upgrading from 35 to 50 gal swfo

[hcoug]

I inherited a 35gal sw tank with cc, an under-gravel filter, and some LR. The fish are a blue tang and a fire-fish.

I wish to upgrade to a 50 gal tank (inherited the tank ). I am buying an AquaC Remora protein skimmer with maxijet.
Can I use crushed coral with LR, or must it be sand with LR?

I plan to give the tang to the LFS (I think it's already too big for the 50 gal), keep the fire-fish, and eventually get a couple more small fish.

Any suggestions on how to make the switch? I'm hesitant to use the cc from the original tank because it's infested with bristleworms.

Thank you.

 

[jackdp]

If you can keep the 35 setup until the 50 is ready then you can probably make the change with a minimal impact biological filtration. You can use sand or CC with LR. LS would be even better or some dead sand with LS to seed it. I would get the 50 where it will be, and siphon water from the existing tank to the new tank. Once you get some water in there move the LR. If you decide to go with sand, add the sand around the rockwork, it will help hold it in place. Place some of the CC in filter bags and set on the bottom of the new tank, this will help get your nitrifying bacteria in place along with the LR. Top off the 50 with freshly mixed SW adjust SG and let it come to temp and add the fish. I would monitor the ammonia and nitrites to make sure the bacteria doing their job. But any cycle should be small. Also, the bristleworms would be a great addition to the sandbed unless they are like a foot long.

 

[duaumun]

Not a bad plan, i'm happy to see you ditching the tang. Both tanks are too small unless you keep the tang alone in the 50, which still isn't too great. Lucky, you got a tank for free! I'm still saving for my first SW tank. h

 

[kidkameleon3]

Undergravel filters are a big mess and hassle IMO, I would seriously think of removing it from the list

 

[jackdp]

I didn't even notice the UGF I would definitely remove it from the list. It has its place in FW tanks but can just cause headaches in marine tanks.