Moving from one tank to another

[LeslieS]

Hi Guys,

Because of my beetle problem, I am switching stands. The new stand will go exactly where the current on is.

Any tips for draining my tank, keeping everything healthy for 8 hours or so, and then putting it all back?

 

[LeslieS]

Oh, I would also like to use this as an opportunity to get rid of my bryopsis and cyano. Any ideas on how to work that into the move would be great!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Big rubermaid containers and heaters and powerheads for circulation.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Tranfers from the current tank to rubbermaid, move the stand out, move the new stand in, and refill.

What you could do for the bryopsis is cook the rock. Maybe someone could chime in with a link.

 

[jf2381]

Big rubermaid containers and heaters and powerheads for circulation.

ditto

 

[LeslieS]

Yeah, I was going to put most of the rock in one container with water and a power head. Put the snails, crabs, blennie, polyps, and mushrooms in another container with a 1 rock and water with a power head. Heat should not be a problem.

As I take the rocks out, I want to scrub the bryopsis and cyano off them. This is OK right?

I will throw the sand out and start fresh.

I was not planning to save any more water than I need to keep everything alive. I would replace the water thrown out with new salt water.

B. worries that I will be getting rid of all the little microscopic bugs in the water. Is this true? Is this a problem?

Thanks!

 

[nanoreefer22]

Scrubing off the algae poses a problem, if you scrub it off and you water parameters are off more than likely the algae will be back in no time. With the bryopsis if you leave a little piece on you stand the chance of having it come back. Same with the cyano, it come back even if you get it all off and the water parameters still allow it to grow.

You could use this as a chance to do a nice size water change.

 

[prattreef]

While scrubbing the rocks may not totally solve the problem, if you scrub them in water that will not be returned to the tank and rinse them well, it should help... a large water change like you plan is also a good idea. Why are you scraping the sand? Isn't it only a few weeks old? Since you have very litte in the tank, I would recommend you keep your light cycle to a minimum this time around. Randy

 

[LeslieS]

Thanks! the sand is also covered in cyano - I bought too much so using it will get the extra bag out of my apartment as well as contribute to my cyano cure!

 

[LeslieS]

ps. my water parameters are all good. I was too slow with the clean up crew, and the algae just got away from me....badly!

 

[jenniebutterfly]

if you add all new water and all new sand you will have a mini cycle, but in your tank it should be ok. but since you have so ittle livestock, you may be better off getting a small cheap tank, or borrowing one, and make sure there is no major cycle. as for cooking the rocks, that can take a while, bypropsis is a b**** and hard to get rid of without cooking. to cook rock you would put it into a solid colored rubbermaid with a powerhead, and no light and let it sit.

 

[LeslieS]

Jennie, How long would it have to "cook"?

 

[prattreef]

Hey Leslie if you want to see a large scale change from one tank to another why don't you join us here at Pratt on the 15th? Great opportunity to learn about all facets of the hobby. Randy

 

[PalmTree]

Hey Leslie.. I think you are pretty much on the right track. I've never "cooked" my LR before but have heard very good things from it. When I did my tank move I layed my rock out on a tarp and scrubed it up with a brush while rinsing in between with RO water. This takes a lot of space and you have to have quite a bit of water stored up. I have to say that it did work very well although not very conventional according to some. I think you can keep most of your sand as long as you are going to rinse it out. If you have fresh sand just sitting around than by all means use that. Pratt might be a great event for all of us! Good luck!

 

[masterswimmer]

ps. my water parameters are all good. I was too slow with the clean up crew, and the algae just got away from me....badly!

Hey Leslie, good news and not so good news (not bad news though :biggrin: ).
Good news is that you'll reduce some of your algae problems right away with the plan you propose. Cyano will disipate and the bryopsis will slow down.

Not so good news is that everything you're experiencing is expected during the beginning days of a young tank. You can dump your sand and replace it with fresh sand. However, the likelihood of the cyano coming back is great, until your tank goes through this phase (I'm refraining from using the term cycle, but in essence that's what it is, just not an ammonia cycle).

The maturation of a tank is so brief in the scheme of things that people tend to rush and get frustrated with their tank turning 'ugly'. The oceans took millions of years to get to the point they're at. Six months to a year for a tank to mature nicely is not a long time.

I agree wholeheartedly with Randy about making a trip to Pratt on the 15th to see a hands on tank move at its best. The experience will prove to be invaluable to a newbie, especially one that's planning the same thing so soon in the hobby.

Any help you need, just shout out. You'll have members flocking to your place. They only charge a slice and a :beer: :biggrin:

Russ

 

[LeslieS]

Does anyone have pictures of what their tank looked like during the "algae cycle"? I know I will have some, but I feel like it is taking over my tank. Almost every rock is covered. I have been trying to add snails and crabs slowly so that I have a good balance and do not end up starving them, but I feel like the algae is winning. If my plan will slow the algae down, I think that will give the critters a fighting chance

I am supposed to be doing my tank switch on Friday, but I would still love to see the Pratt reef move. Being light in the muscle department, I did not originally volunteer

Thankfully, the manufacturer and FT are being very good about the entire situation. They will be redoing all of the plumbing, I just have to handle the contents of the tank. I would love to have everyone over for a slice and a beer - or three - but for an occasion more fun than picking algae off rock

 

[prattreef]

Leslie don't worry about the muscle thing... I don't have many either LOL

If you want to come please do.

Randy