Proper Steps To Upgrade From 55gal To 120gal Tank?

[sahmof2]

Hi Everyone,

I have had my 55 gal setup for over 3 years. I just bought a 120 gal tank that came with a 55 gal sump/refugium. the 120 gal is 24 x 24 x48 so the length is the same as my 55 gal. I am wanting to setup the 120 as I tear down the 55. I currently have over 50 lbs of live sand in the 55gal tank and over 100 lbs of live rock with coraline all over it. I have also 100+ lbs of dead crushed coral to add to the 120 gal main tank but need recommedations on when and process to add (1st or last)? I know that I will need to upgrade my protein skimmer. Looking at a euro-reef but do you all recommend something else? My 55 gal already has a nova extreme pro T5 200+ watt fixture. The 120 gal came with two 175 watt Hamilton MH light fixtures. I am only going to use the T5 due to no corals in 55 gal so 120 gal will not need higher lighting at 1st. Should I use the Hamilton fixtures when I add corals or only use the T5 I already have? Where is the line for corals where I would need more lighting than the T5 fixture I already have. I know that zoos and mushrooms are fine without using the extra MH but what about torch and hammer corals? The main question I would like answered is proper steps to take to switch the 55 gal to the 120 gal? Tons of advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Everyone,

I have had my 55 gal setup for over 3 years. I just bought a 120 gal tank that came with a 55 gal sump/refugium. the 120 gal is 24 x 24 x48 so the length is the same as my 55 gal.

woo hoo, lucky you

I am wanting to setup the 120 as I tear down the 55. I currently have over 50 lbs of live sand in the 55gal tank and over 100 lbs of live rock with coraline all over it. I have also 100+ lbs of dead crushed coral to add to the 120 gal main tank but need recommedations on when and process to add (1st or last)?

First i would fill tank with the salty stuff and bring up to temp - would probably only fill half way to save money
Bung the rock in
Then get all the sand out and put in the new tank, will be cloudy
and top off with water from the 55 gallon

I know that I will need to upgrade my protein skimmer. Looking at a euro-reef but do you all recommend something else?

I love my deltec mce 600 but don't think it is big enough for your tank


My 55 gal already has a nova extreme pro T5 200+ watt fixture. The 120 gal came with two 175 watt Hamilton MH light fixtures. I am only going to use the T5 due to no corals in 55 gal so 120 gal will not need higher lighting at 1st. Should I use the Hamilton fixtures when I add corals or only use the T5 I already have?

Well it really depend what sort of corals you want to keep - if like me you want to keep things like euphyllias and lower light loving corals then t5 will be fine - however I assume with a tank that size you will go down the lps and sps route at some point. If money is not a problem re: running cost for the mh, then probably go with those

Where is the line for corals where I would need more lighting than the T5 fixture I already have. I know that zoos and mushrooms are fine without using the extra MH but what about torch and hammer corals?

Euphyllias are fine under t5, they don't like high light levels

The main question I would like answered is proper steps to take to switch the 55 gal to the 120 gal? Tons of advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Good luck with your adventure, can you start a journel please so we can follow your plans?

Seffie x

 

[sahmof2]

Seffieuk,

Thanks for the recommendation. I am going to use floor jacks today to put extra support under floor where 120 gal will be setup at and start making the water for water adding tomorrow.