does anyone has a suggestion, here's the scenerio, i have an existing 125 gal(reef) mostly SPS- and need to transfer entire stock to a 125 tall- i have about 2-3 inches of sugar sized substrate (sand), and the last time i did this I ended up losing alot of corals for i transfere everything in 2 days, so i believe what caused it was that the sand was stirred and the lower part became the upper part emitting some toxic gas. do you have any suggestion on doing this with minimal if not none casualty? how? and by the way, time is not of essence, i mean i can do the transfer if need be slowly. thanks
transfer exsiting tank
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NaH2O
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Personally, I wouldn't transfer the old sand to the new tank. If you want sand, then I would start fresh. Take the transfer time to give your rocks a good blasting, too. Here is a thread to Chuck's sandbed removal. I know you aren't removing and putting back in the same tank, but this can be applied to a new tank, as well. Sandbed Removal Complete - Heavy Graphics
Hi Sushi,
Well I kind of went through the same thing last year although I was removing a DSB from my existing tank. My recommendation would to put new (fresh) sand in your 125 tall and seed it with sand from the upper portion of your existing sand bed. You might consider going with a shallow sand bed (or none at all). A shallow sand bed is much easier to clean and vacuum the detritus out of.
You will lose some or your fauna that is in the existing sand bed but it is better than losing corals or any of your fish. You can also sift through the existing sand bed and move any worms, micro stars etc. than you can find to your new sand bed.
I would not disturb your existing sand bed until you have drained the majority of the water, and removed the rock and fish. Good Luck!
Well I kind of went through the same thing last year although I was removing a DSB from my existing tank. My recommendation would to put new (fresh) sand in your 125 tall and seed it with sand from the upper portion of your existing sand bed. You might consider going with a shallow sand bed (or none at all). A shallow sand bed is much easier to clean and vacuum the detritus out of.
You will lose some or your fauna that is in the existing sand bed but it is better than losing corals or any of your fish. You can also sift through the existing sand bed and move any worms, micro stars etc. than you can find to your new sand bed.
I would not disturb your existing sand bed until you have drained the majority of the water, and removed the rock and fish. Good Luck!
lizardarm
Reptilian Disco Biscuit
i would second the bare bottom suggestion. kind of hippocritical as i'm not currently running bare bottom, but i've had water quality problems from moves in the past also, and if i ever have to do it again i wont be putting the sand back in.
NaH2O
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lizardarm - I don't think we were saying to go bare bottom (at least that isn't how I intended my post), however, if that is an option, now would be a good time to do it. I meant to not use the old sand, but go with new. Substrate is for sure, an individual choice. Understanding the choice you make is very important.
lizardarm
Reptilian Disco Biscuit
yeah, i think that that may have been the blue paddle lager talking. sorry.
NaH2O
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No apologies 
! Sometimes I don't come across as clear as I think. No worries - you did bring up a good point - that if you want to switch to a bare bottom tank, now is the time rather than later down the road. Besides - you couldn't let a good Blue Paddle Lager go to waste!
! Sometimes I don't come across as clear as I think. No worries - you did bring up a good point - that if you want to switch to a bare bottom tank, now is the time rather than later down the road. Besides - you couldn't let a good Blue Paddle Lager go to waste! 
