Want to redo all my rockwork, but....

SINNERMF · 01/26/2009, 04:39 PM

My rock is driving me nuts!!! I want to redo it all!!! I have a 55 gallon tank with a ton of rock. And like I said I want to "reaquascape".

However, I had a friend do this and he lost everything. He sturred up No3 bubbes in the sand. Is this avoidable??

My tank has been the way it is for about 2-3 years. Whats the best way to do this?? Can I just drain all the water out and pull the rock out and redo it? Then put most of the old water back in and make new water?

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks for your time.

Mike

macreefster · 01/26/2009, 04:50 PM

i've done it a few times without any problems. i just did it recently to one....remove a coral nipping flame angel and two...to re-do my rockwork to offer much more open space in the tank. i've always have nassarius snails, sand sifting starfish and sea cucumbers to keep the sand sifted, so maybe thats why i don't have problems like your friend had.

i drained out most of the water, put my corals and fish in a temporary container with heater and pump and then put back most of the water along with about a 15% water change. my advice....take your time getting your rock the way you want it while you have the tank broken down. its a great opportunity to re-make your tank the way you want it, don't waste this opportunity to make it right.

good luck!

mustang2021 · 01/26/2009, 05:05 PM

usually wat i do and ive done this a number of times before with sand that is 10 yrs old....i remove all corals and place into a 55 gallon rubber maid tub that i purchased from homedepot with a few power heads and a heater then i remove all rock and remove all the fish and put them into another 55 gallon rubber maid tub i empty out about another 75 or so gallons or about 2/3 of the tanks water so i can see the rocks im placing clearly once my rock work is done and im happy i replace about 75 gallons of water with some new saltwater and and add my corals then after about 24 hrs or so i will add my fish to the system i have never had any casualtiesand this includes fish and corals......
if i were you i would try not to disturbe the sand bed to much if you plan on leaving fish and corals in the tank wich i do not recommend good luck and keep us posted

01/26/2009, 04:39 PM	#1
SINNERMF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Posts: 415	Want to redo all my rockwork, but.... My rock is driving me nuts!!! I want to redo it all!!! I have a 55 gallon tank with a ton of rock. And like I said I want to "reaquascape". However, I had a friend do this and he lost everything. He sturred up No3 bubbes in the sand. Is this avoidable?? My tank has been the way it is for about 2-3 years. Whats the best way to do this?? Can I just drain all the water out and pull the rock out and redo it? Then put most of the old water back in and make new water? I would appreciate any input. Thanks for your time. Mike

01/26/2009, 04:50 PM	#2
macreefster Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 1,015	i've done it a few times without any problems. i just did it recently to one....remove a coral nipping flame angel and two...to re-do my rockwork to offer much more open space in the tank. i've always have nassarius snails, sand sifting starfish and sea cucumbers to keep the sand sifted, so maybe thats why i don't have problems like your friend had. i drained out most of the water, put my corals and fish in a temporary container with heater and pump and then put back most of the water along with about a 15% water change. my advice....take your time getting your rock the way you want it while you have the tank broken down. its a great opportunity to re-make your tank the way you want it, don't waste this opportunity to make it right. good luck! __________________ mac Current Tank Info: 70gal sps reef (36x24x20), 50g sump, 25g refugium, vertex alpha cone 170, 2 x 250w 14k phoenix w/ lumenmax 3's, 2 vortech mp40w's, eheim 1262 return pump

01/26/2009, 05:05 PM	#3
mustang2021 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 151	usually wat i do and ive done this a number of times before with sand that is 10 yrs old....i remove all corals and place into a 55 gallon rubber maid tub that i purchased from homedepot with a few power heads and a heater then i remove all rock and remove all the fish and put them into another 55 gallon rubber maid tub i empty out about another 75 or so gallons or about 2/3 of the tanks water so i can see the rocks im placing clearly once my rock work is done and im happy i replace about 75 gallons of water with some new saltwater and and add my corals then after about 24 hrs or so i will add my fish to the system i have never had any casualtiesand this includes fish and corals...... if i were you i would try not to disturbe the sand bed to much if you plan on leaving fish and corals in the tank wich i do not recommend good luck and keep us posted