Upgrading tank

[crisput]

Hey, I also want some input on glass or acrylic????

 

[S.Reef]

Glass cheaper then acrylic. Glass is also heavier while acrylic scatched easier. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[1979camaro]

i have always promoted glass because of the scratching issue, but something to consider is that most scratches can be buffed out of acrylic...and it is more clear than glass unless you get some really fancy smanshy glass. the other thing is acrylic tanks have fewer seams to go bad

 

[crisput]

Ok ,lets say I am going to buy a AQUAC remora............would I need a sump???

why or why not???

 

[aresgod]

depends on what model you get, but no I have an aqua-c remora with out a sump, i really like it alot, quiet very effiecient, I would recomend if you keep it with out a sump the accesorries offered with it, However sumps are very nice, they add more water so better water quality, its a place to keep media, also and equipment you need out of the tank, I would myself rather have a sump but it was not destined to be.

 

[S.Reef]

Depends on the specific model...and if you want it out of sight or not.

 

[crisput]

What model do you have--that you use without the sump??

 

[1979camaro]

all of the remoras are designed to hang on the tank = no sump

 

[S.Reef]

Right you are...just saw that.

 

[aresgod]

yes, the remoras all do hang on but I was refering to the aqua-c urchins which are for sump use, I have a remora, they are essentially the same thing, my mistake should have been clear on that

 

[1979camaro]

the urchins are only for sump use...i do not believe they can be plumbed inline...aquac does make some other skimmers which can be used without a sump but that are not hob models

 

[S.Reef]

no the cant...becaus the pump is situated so it cannot be hung in the tank...also think about the names. One is Urchin for sitting on the bottom. The other is Remora because it hangs on. They are the sam skimmer but one was designed to stay in sump and the other HOB.

 

[dbacksrat]

the cheapest place to shop online that i have encountered so far is thatfishplace.com

 

[crisput]

Ok, so no one really answered my first question...............no matter what size tank I buy.........................what would be the best way to transfer what is in my old tank to a new one???????????

Also, I used crushed coral in myold tank would like to change to sand.....

any suggestions?????????

 

[1979camaro]

1) just move the stuff, no problem there:mix up water in the new tank, let it stabilize overnight, move the LR and animals

2) no problem switching to sand either

 

[wayne]

Yes, just make up the extra water and move the stuff quickly unless you have the time/room/etc to run two tanks in tandem

 

[crisput]

ok, well what about my fish----wont that be bad for them......especially if the tank I am moving them to is much bigger.............

I guess Icould run both tanks for awhile.................

I am looking at a 55 gallon bow front--what do you think about those??

 

[wayne]

No. YOu're going from 30 to 55. Assume you'll end up transferring 20 gallons of water and dumping the rest. Mix up 15 gallons of water i nthe new tank, or a rubbermaid or whatever, and try to leave it for 2 or 3 days. Then get to work.
Get yourself a 5 gallon bucket or two. Put water in these, put in livestock. Put these in corner of room, put heater in if possible, powerhead with flow turned down. Cover with towel to minimise stress. Also put liverock in these if you can.

Clean out substrate by vigorous hoovering. This is the tricky bit , especially if you have a dsb. Frankly a lot of people dump a lot of substrate at this point.

Now put in about 20 gallons of your old water via buckets or whatever. Get to temp, put in hardware. Start it up. Your tank will probably look very shallow. Your SG should, if you've done it properly, be close to the old.

So basically drip acclimate in the livestock and live rock. Finished. Just add extra water over the next few days to get up to level. Your fish will have enjoyed a large water change, and you are finished. It really isn't that difficult if you plan, and are careful

 

[wayne]

And personally I don't like bowfronts

 

[crisput]

You know I am going from a ten to a 55................I have been doing frequent water changes--about 1-2 times a month b/c my tank was so small...............how often do you suggest I complete water changes on this larger tank and how much at a time..........just wanting to know what you do.........................

I am going to be switching my crushed coral for sand........I guess I just have in my mind for some reason that my Good Ole Bacteria is living in that subsrate and if I through it away I have lost it...................why do I think that? can you explain it simply without having to write an entire book...?

I have been searching for good reading material but have not had any luck---most of the books focus on fish---I dont want to know about that now---- just set ups and what to buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant find anything on just that with good pictures and instructions--------I dont know anyone who has a saltwater tank and you all are all that I have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent the weekend at the local pet stores looking for the perfect tank and nothing..............