Neglected tank now needs some revitalizing!

David D'Amicantonio · 06/03/2009, 02:56 PM

I have had my 21gal saltwater tank for about 5 years now. Same fish, same rocks, same everything...minus many hermits and snails. Right now there is 2 3-stripe damsels, about 25lbs of live rock, and plenty of detritus accumulation on the sand bed.

With university and a job, my tank has really taken the back seat in my life, unfortunately. It has been a good 8 months since I have done a water change/clean up of the tank.

My question is, how can I begin cleaning my tank without making drastic changes to the water that might cause a bloom of some sort. I did have a hair algae bloom 2 years ago and it was NOT fun.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

reeferoo · 06/03/2009, 03:13 PM

I would plan on frequent little water changes (but not too frequent!)
maybe run some carbon

Do some tests to see if there are any huge issues or just some nice dirtiness.

To avoid an algae bloom, perhaps get your water tested for phosphate and use a remover of some sort if needed. I use Blue Life Phosphate Control

James79 · 06/03/2009, 03:40 PM

Just start slow and do small 10-25% weekly water changes. That'll start to bring down the likely elevated nitrates. Blast the rocks clean with a baster or PH every day or two. The skimmer will remove lots of the suspended detritus. Carbon will help as well. I'd wait until the nitrates are acceptable before adding a new cleanup crew.

Aquarist007 · 06/03/2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reeferoo
I would plan on frequent little water changes (but not too frequent!)
maybe run some carbon

Do some tests to see if there are any huge issues or just some nice dirtiness.

To avoid an algae bloom, perhaps get your water tested for phosphate and use a remover of some sort if needed. I use Blue Life Phosphate Control

+1 on this ===do some testing first

06/03/2009, 02:56 PM	#1
David D'Amicantonio Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 138	Neglected tank now needs some revitalizing! I have had my 21gal saltwater tank for about 5 years now. Same fish, same rocks, same everything...minus many hermits and snails. Right now there is 2 3-stripe damsels, about 25lbs of live rock, and plenty of detritus accumulation on the sand bed. With university and a job, my tank has really taken the back seat in my life, unfortunately. It has been a good 8 months since I have done a water change/clean up of the tank. My question is, how can I begin cleaning my tank without making drastic changes to the water that might cause a bloom of some sort. I did have a hair algae bloom 2 years ago and it was NOT fun. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

06/03/2009, 03:13 PM	#2
reeferoo Lady Tank Tinkerer Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 635	I would plan on frequent little water changes (but not too frequent!) maybe run some carbon Do some tests to see if there are any huge issues or just some nice dirtiness. To avoid an algae bloom, perhaps get your water tested for phosphate and use a remover of some sort if needed. I use Blue Life Phosphate Control __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef (upgraded from 60gal in 2015) Orphek Bar 90 (daylight and blue) 29gal sump, Vortech MP40 and Koralia 4, Reef Octopus Classic 150 INT skimmer (reefkeeping since 8/07) Current Tank Info: 120 Softy/LPS reef

06/03/2009, 03:40 PM	#3
James79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 170	Just start slow and do small 10-25% weekly water changes. That'll start to bring down the likely elevated nitrates. Blast the rocks clean with a baster or PH every day or two. The skimmer will remove lots of the suspended detritus. Carbon will help as well. I'd wait until the nitrates are acceptable before adding a new cleanup crew.