getting rid of all my rock

[olgakurt]

I'm thinking about going back to a lagoonal type tank and getting rid of all my rock (save one piece). Anyone else minimalize their tank?

I guess I should set up a large tub in which to keep the rock for a couple weeks in case I get second thoughts about it or don't like the outcome.
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[ladyballplayer]

Im doing the same thing. I havce had two major crahses since January and my rock doesn't look good anymore. I'm thinking of going more fish only with some LR and some good pieces of Coral and Conchs I picked up in Cape Hatteras.

I definitely need a change because I hate my tank right now.
I have never been happy with it since me moved and vacations kill my critters and corals. It seems no matter how "dedicated" my fish sitters are, things die. Why - tell me why!!!

Ok 'nuff said
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[olgakurt]

Ladyballplayer,
Sorry about your tank. I think FO would be much easier for you to maintain with any sitters/vacations. One of the experts over on reef central seems to preach that water quality change is characteristic over a reef, but I don't think the changes are at the extreme of survivability or for the durations experienced in many tanks. Fish can handle the change better than most other organisms, but you'll have to watch it if you have any amount of non-fish life in with them.

My tank suffered a mini-crash when I was in Russia over the winter and the auto top-off failed causing hte salinity to rise too high, a few organisms to die, and the nutrients to spike. I managed to nurse most everything back but lost a lot of interest in the tank in the work to do so. I have had the same 20g tank since 1990.

If you want to 'polish' your rock (I'm guessing it's covered with algae after 2 crashes), you can set up a trash can, get the water quality right and throw the rock in with some good circulation. You won't get much growth (mostly will get die-off), but your rock should emerge clean again after a couple of weeks.

I plan to keep the corals (I've never had zillions) and restrict them to the one rock outcropping and sand bed. Only other change I will probably have to make is to get rid of the urchin without the rock work to support it.
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[ladyballplayer]

Thanks for the advise on the LR - I will do that and clean it back up. I really love the tank, but need something more simplified so that I can catch my breath and take the time to restart the reef setup. I too havce lost some interested due to se4t backs, but still ove the fish and hobby. I just want a pretty tank with happy critters again! I must say - my fish do appear happy and healthy - eating well and staying friendly. At least that hasn't changed ot I think I would shut down the tank for a while.

I'm not far from you - if you are seriously interested in getting rid of the urchin. I would be interested.

Thansk again and I'll clean up that live rock.