Time to start over.

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by shoebox, Jul 27, 2013.

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  1. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    OK so tank has been up a little over two years. I had a moment neglected tank and it crashed. Bubble algae everything dead, MY fault. How do you clean the tank and 200 lbs of live rock covered in bubble algae to start over safely. I will have more questions but need to start somewhere. Thanks in advance.:cry::-/:cry:
     
    shoebox, Jul 27, 2013
    shoebox, Jul 27, 2013
    #1

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  2. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    I'm sorry, is all the livestock expired?

    I'm certainly no Expert- but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express Last Night!- From a commercial ad.

    I'd start the rock over also.

    I'm sure other more experienced will chime in
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2013
    Todd_Sails, Jul 27, 2013
    Todd_Sails, Jul 27, 2013
    #2
  3. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    bump
     
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    #3
  4. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Bumpy bump
     
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    #4
  5. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

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    shoe:

    Just my opinion(have had bubble algae experience also). Remove rock and let it bake in the sun then clean it all up.. some good base rock at this point. Sand you should rinse and let dry in the Sun ( a little vinegar and water wash would probably be good idea), or just get new sand which is personally what I would do.

    Wash tank out with vinegar and water cleaning everything.

    So basically as you said starting over.
     
    chris adams, Jul 28, 2013
    chris adams, Jul 28, 2013
    #5
  6. ClippersTown

    ClippersTown Fire Worm

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    Not too experienced, but from what I know you'd have to start over. You should never boil live rock, so I think a good start would be to put the LR into a bucket/tub, fill the bucket with a vinegar/water solution. let it sit for a little bit, then rinse it out thoroughly. then what i would personally do is let it bake in the sun for a few days (like Chris said). As for sand, just get new sand, imo
     
    ClippersTown, Jul 28, 2013
    ClippersTown, Jul 28, 2013
    #6
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  7. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    OK thanks, I will vinegar the rock planed on tossing the sand anyway. need to do the same for power heads have new heaters. how long should they soak and then how long in the sun and rain and what kind if it maters of a scrub brush should i use on the rock. Thanks guys as always. :-/:-/
     
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    shoebox, Jul 28, 2013
    #7
  8. shoebox

    shoebox Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Small bump
     
    shoebox, Jul 29, 2013
    shoebox, Jul 29, 2013
    #8
  9. texanjordan

    texanjordan Peppermint Shrimp

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    Buy a bunch of vinegar, like gallons of it, and soak powerheads and other equipment in it for days, at least 48 hours. All organics will die, and all coraline will come off if you have any. Then scrub everything off, rinse in RODI water, and you are ready to go again.
     
    texanjordan, Jul 30, 2013
    texanjordan, Jul 30, 2013
    #9
  10. ivanbosk

    ivanbosk Feather Duster

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    Yeah, the only thing i wouldn't bother with would be the sand. You can clean up the rest.
     
    ivanbosk, Jul 30, 2013
    ivanbosk, Jul 30, 2013
    #10