How do I do this

[tat2z_21]

I am upgrading from a 70 gallon high AGA to a 100 AGA long. How can I safely move everything over. Can I use the same materials from my old tank I.E. live sand and water. Or do I have to get all new and start the cycling over then transfer. Any ideas would be great. As I am sure that alot of you have gone through this.

 

[JeffGil]

I just moved two 20g high tanks into a new 72g bowfront (in my signature). I used "new" live sand with very little of the old sand and all of the "old" live rocks. I added the live sand and RO/DI water and a few rocks a day into it from each tank--as much as I could spare and still have some filtration in the 20's. After three days the water parameters were perfect (and still are) and the only thing a little low was calcium which I supplemented. I didn't check the tank for three days after moving everything in figuring it would surely need to cycle and have some kind of ammonia spike from the "new" sand, but I'm guessing it was pretty much good to go from the start...I didn't try it that way though lol

Don't know if it happens that way for everyone, but that's how it worked out for me.

 

[lizardarm]

After three days the water parameters were perfect (and still are) and the only thing a little low was calcium which I supplemented.

It might take a bit longer than three days for something to happen, so keep testing a couple times a week.
I've upgraded tanks before and always transfered everything into the new tank (water, sand, LR) and added to it with extra water, sand and LR I'd mixed/purchased. If your new tank is 30 gallons bigger, get 40-45 gallons of new water ready. I don't know that there's an easy way to get it done, nor fast. One tip is to try and get a bunch of the insulated livestock boxes from your LFS (the ones that they get their shipments in) or some coolers that will help to keep things warm. Turn up the heat in the room a bit. Transfer livestock into containers (watch for jumpers), and snap-to getting the water and whatnot transfered. Plan on losing maybe 20% of the water from your old tank as you'll get a lot of dust when you stir up the substrate.
Might be a good time to ditch the crushed coral or at least mix in sand with it.
Hope it helps,
-Chris