How long ok to run tank fallow

tc2007 · 08/26/2014, 06:09 PM

I have been running my tank fallow (without fish) but with coral and CUC etc. for the last week or so due to ich etc. I don't plan to ever populate this tank with fish. In the near future when and if I upgrade I will be moving the live rock and corals to the new tank. Till then I plan to run this tank fallow to get rid of any ich or parasites.

However, there has been an explosion in pods and I also see tiny worms (hair sized red). Corals look healthy, I do not feed anything in the tank. My skimmer is still pulling gunk out, I am not sure what it could be. I also see air bubbles on the water surface. I think the air is coming from the sand bed.

What is the best thing to do in this situation? is adding a single fish recommended that will keep the pod population under control?

My leather and 2 hammer corals don't have natural color so I am not sure if it is absence of food or what? Other corals are fine (Zoas, green polyp, other hammer)
I am running a Kessil 350W light so I don't think it is a problem.

Mike Ordner · 08/26/2014, 08:48 PM

Do not add any fish or you will complete the ich cycle and it will never go away. It is suggested to go 72 days without fish to be sure ich is gone. Pods and worms will be self limiting with the amount of food available. Lack of adding any nutrients could be affecting your corals. Air bubbles could be cyanobacteria. Any discoloration on the sand bed?

xdestry · 08/26/2014, 08:54 PM

Nothing wrong with pods they are good for the tank if you're worried about other stuff not getting food just drop some food in things will find and eat it eventually

tc2007 · 08/26/2014, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ordner

Do not add any fish or you will complete the ich cycle and it will never go away. It is suggested to go 72 days without fish to be sure ich is gone. Pods and worms will be self limiting with the amount of food available. Lack of adding any nutrients could be affecting your corals. Air bubbles could be cyanobacteria. Any discoloration on the sand bed?

yes there are 2 different places with reddish spots in the sand, I can see from the side. that's where the air bubbles are coming from. So will this go away on its own? The surface is fine.

rocsec1 · 08/27/2014, 08:52 AM

Can't you run a Cuc? I didn't think they would support ich

Shawn O · 08/27/2014, 09:25 AM

He's running a CUC.

Dmorty217 · 08/27/2014, 09:49 AM

12 wks without fish.

Jimbo530 · 08/27/2014, 10:32 AM

you may be able to put a small shrimp in the tank to help control pods worms and from sum stuff i have read ich. also sum people suggest having at least 1 small fish to help drive natural cycles in the tank that will improve health of system. i would wait to cure the tank of ich but read about it and make choices that are good for you and your tank when the time comes

shesacharmer · 08/28/2014, 09:00 AM

No fish in a fallow tank for 72 days.

tc2007 · 08/28/2014, 06:09 PM

Good. Most of the pods are gone. Have a few aiptasias. My bigger problem is the leather coral that has short polyps and pale in color. Almost transparent polyps.

08/26/2014, 06:09 PM	#1
tc2007 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 867	How long ok to run tank fallow I have been running my tank fallow (without fish) but with coral and CUC etc. for the last week or so due to ich etc. I don't plan to ever populate this tank with fish. In the near future when and if I upgrade I will be moving the live rock and corals to the new tank. Till then I plan to run this tank fallow to get rid of any ich or parasites. However, there has been an explosion in pods and I also see tiny worms (hair sized red). Corals look healthy, I do not feed anything in the tank. My skimmer is still pulling gunk out, I am not sure what it could be. I also see air bubbles on the water surface. I think the air is coming from the sand bed. What is the best thing to do in this situation? is adding a single fish recommended that will keep the pod population under control? My leather and 2 hammer corals don't have natural color so I am not sure if it is absence of food or what? Other corals are fine (Zoas, green polyp, other hammer) I am running a Kessil 350W light so I don't think it is a problem. Last edited by tc2007; 08/26/2014 at 06:16 PM.

08/26/2014, 08:54 PM	#3
xdestry SPS Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 662	Nothing wrong with pods they are good for the tank if you're worried about other stuff not getting food just drop some food in things will find and eat it eventually __________________ 100 gallon MIXED / SPS frag dominant Current Tank Info: 100 Gallon + 40G Sump, ATI Sunpower Dimmable 8x39 (B+,C+,B+.Act.B+.P+.Gieseman Super Act, B+), 2x MP40QD, Aquamaxx Q2 + ConeS CO1 Skimmers

08/27/2014, 09:49 AM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	12 wks without fish. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

08/28/2014, 09:00 AM	#9
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	No fish in a fallow tank for 72 days. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

08/26/2014, 08:48 PM	#2
Mike Ordner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 415	Do not add any fish or you will complete the ich cycle and it will never go away. It is suggested to go 72 days without fish to be sure ich is gone. Pods and worms will be self limiting with the amount of food available. Lack of adding any nutrients could be affecting your corals. Air bubbles could be cyanobacteria. Any discoloration on the sand bed?

08/27/2014, 08:52 AM	#5
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	Can't you run a Cuc? I didn't think they would support ich

08/27/2014, 09:25 AM	#6
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	He's running a CUC.

08/27/2014, 10:32 AM	#8
Jimbo530 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 23	you may be able to put a small shrimp in the tank to help control pods worms and from sum stuff i have read ich. also sum people suggest having at least 1 small fish to help drive natural cycles in the tank that will improve health of system. i would wait to cure the tank of ich but read about it and make choices that are good for you and your tank when the time comes

08/28/2014, 06:09 PM	#10
tc2007 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 867	Good. Most of the pods are gone. Have a few aiptasias. My bigger problem is the leather coral that has short polyps and pale in color. Almost transparent polyps.