GHA take over PICS ADDED

nope no reactor, no refugium, just a filter pad with some shredded PVC under it, kind of like bio-balls but older school... im thinking he's getting hit with old tank syndrome.. id like to start by taking that out, but he's having a problem believing me b/c he had "experts" clean his tank for years and they never took it out, or cleaned it... another thing that baffles me is that he as ABSOLUTELY no flow in his tank, just a return line not a single powerhead until i got in there i put one powerhead in, and am waiting on another one to come in so i can increase his flow more..

 

im going to try and get some pictures up so you can see what he's got, aptasia's ive used joe's juice on already, but there are just to many to combat lets just say his rock is aptasia... its that bad.. i did put some peppermint shrimp in there in hopes they would start eating.. but so far no good..

 

You've got your hands full.
Bottom line, it's an expensive hobby, especially when you go to a reef tank, maintenance costs and equipment costs will go sky high. It sounds like he doesn't really know that. Your job, make him aware.
Then draw up a plan to clean up the tank and included everything that he'll need and the maintenance plan. Outline costs. I wouldn't give a weathly man free stuff because he doesn't want to pay. If he doesn't want to pay for the basics:
Skimmer, media\reactors, a fuge would be a good idea and most importantly YOUR TIME. then tell him he should go with a freshwater african cichlid tank as all he'll need is a canister filter and monthly water changes.

 

Agreed, he is paying me, i told him he will need new lights and physically handed him a marine depot magazine.. so he will know how much things will cost in the end.. i just hope he actually trusts me b/c im no "expert" but i do know im smarter then the guy he was paying 300+ a month to clean his tank for it to get over run again in 2 days..

 

At this point you may want to look at a few berghia nudibranch. All they eat are aipstasia, but I am sure if his tank is covered in them, they won't starve anytime soon.

 

Here are some pictures of what im dealing with.. please help lol

 

Cyano?

 

Problem is, new lights alone won't solve the issue. I wouldn't make him buy new lights, I'd make him buy into the entire plan, otherwise, he'll think you don't know what your doing and just keep on costing him more cash the more stuff you add. Point out whats broken and what you need to buy to fix it. Obviously the bioballs and filter situation is lacking.

 

Yea that i can take care of but theres more then just cyano... lol its like 3 in 1

 

+1 and a hearty CUC... I highly recommend the reefcleaners.org custom crew