Moving soon

So I think this is the plan. Since I have the worst hair algae problem and a good crop of Aptasia I am going to remove as many corals as I can from the rock. I think this will be the safest way also to transport them. I will then remove everything from the tank.
I will clean the glass and rinse it well while it is still empty. Then put the same sand back in. I will try to strain it. Then clean all the rock as best I can without killing it. I will set up a tub of saltwater for the cleaning. Then replace the rock. I imaging I will then have some wait time with the coral and fish still in holding tanks until the water is clear and tested.
I will then replace the corals and fish.

What do you think, Anyone have any negatives I haven't thought of?

J

 

Well Jason, and this is just my personal opinion of course

I would certainly set up a holding tank(s) for the coral and/ or fish, detached or otherwise, and include whatever rockwork you have as well.

I would also put some of your original sandbed in there as well and throw away the rest. I mean, you will have to wait for the cycle to finish when you set up the tank again, why not do it with fresh sand

Once you have the new tank set up, add maybe a cupful of the old sand, that will help 'seed it' and leave the rest in the holding tank(s). Now once you see the Ammonia start to rise in the new tank, place in some of the original rock after scrubbing it thoroughly, and keep doing that on a day by day basis until the Ammonia disappears. As you know the Nitrites should not have an effect on anything much except the fish ( and that's now debatable ) so as long as you progress fairly slowly and with some consideration I think it will work well.

I just went through the same routine, albeit with very little coral and just one hawkfish, a linkia starfish ( and the bloody cockroach ) with good success and amazingly little nuicance algae.

John

 

Thanks John, I'm worried about keeping corals and fish in holding tanks for long times. The cost of replacing the sand is also a concern.

But I'll think about that for sure. Good Ideas

Jason

 

I'd be tempted to pull out some of that hair algae rock and put it in a tub without light for a while to kill off that algae. Not sure how what would work with your schedule. Scrubbing it will help but I doubt you'll get it all. I remember getting it so bad in my 40 breeder that that is what I did with the rock and then I used phos-guard I think.

 

This whole thing is scaring the crap out of me. I have 2 good guys helping me, but I'm worried about my powder brown Tang and all my SPS. I'm sure the hair Algae is causing more damage to the SPS than the move will but possible losses are freaking me out.

I might just rinse the Sand Bed in fresh water and start over with it. That would ensure it is clean and save the expense of replacing it.

You should see my Birds nest. It's huge but hair algae has infiltrated each branch.
So this is really my opportunity to really do something about it.