Moving from a 100 to a 220 Gallon tank

[robirwin1245]

I've had my 100 gallon tank set up and running FOWLR for 10 years - now moving to a 220 gallon tank.

Wanted to know if I would have a problem moving the sand to the new tank?

Plan is to put 20 gallons a week in containers from the established tank, then on moving day put the sand from the old tank into the new tank, then add the rocks and water. finally, add the fish from the old to the new tank.. will disturbing the sand like that cause the new tank to cycle...do i have this figured out best?

thanks!
R

[d-man]

Try not to use the sand if Possible. It usually is pretty saturated with NO3. Use a bit of top layer to reseed and then all new sand. It'll be way easier. You'll need to rinse both obviously but rinsing new is way better than rinsing old sand

[robirwin1245]

I'm doing a FOWLR - will moving the sand cause the NO3 problem for the fish?

Last time i bought sand it came in a bag that has some water in it - then I just poured it in....so no rinsing - not sure what you are getting at with the rinsing....is this important for reefs or something?

[sushi]

The sand accumulates fish caca over time and it can decompose, so disturbing the sand bed will release toxins. How deep is your sand? I had super fowl old rotten sand and I just rinsed it a few times at Scripps and it was fine. Is your sand very shallow and clean?

If I scoop my sand bed right now, huge clouds of brown/black decomposing organic material will billow out. If yours is not like that, then just use it in the new tank, but maybe you can do a scoop test right now to see if it is clean or not.

[sushi]

Did you move your sand? Everyone wants to know about your sand!