Hey there,

I have decided to trade my 30 gallon tank for a 55 gallon. The 30 gallon is only 2 months old and has more than enough sand to cover the 55 gallon, so I plan on using the same sand. I also have roughly 45 pounds of live rock in the 30 gallon.

My 10 gallon has just finished cycling. I plan on using that as a holding place for my livestock, while I'm switching tanks. Anyone have tips for making the switch. I want to make the least amount of mess possible. If I'm using all the same water (obviously the last 25 gallons would be new water), sand, and rock, how soon would it be safe for me to move my livestock into the new tank?

Any tips are welcome! Oh yeah, and does anyone have any experience putting together a sump without drilling the tank? I'm very interested in doing this. Thanks!

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30 gallon reef with softies.
10 gallon quarantine.
5 gallon Hex for my betta and ghost shrimp.

Myself, I would set it up and let it run a day or 2 before adding anything into the 55 gal. Got enough buckets to hold the 30gal of water? The sand will be wet so just scooping it out and putting it into the 55 should not make a big mess.

I've done it all in the same day, including moving live stock. you have the biological filtration in the rocks, no worries there. Mix up the rest of the water your going to need 24hrs ahead of time, so its set. you can use your 10g as you say or go to WallyWorld and get a big 45 gallon tub to hold everything. Or as I did, use your bathtub. Move water over, move rock over, livestock, sand. Move tank to desired spot, and repeat process.

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