75 gallon saltwater tank

[bdharris66]

I am getting a 75 gallon saltwater tank from a guy it has been set up going for several years with live rock live sand with a sump tank with the bio balls he has been overseas for awhile and just got back and his wife didn't take care of the tank so alga is grow on everything on the sides and all over the live rock what do I need to do when I get it home and set it back up I will be putting in fresh saltwater do I need to wash the rock and sand or just put in clean water and get a cleaning crew

[nlgill13]

Are you fully breaking down the tank or are you just transporting it with minimal water?

I would identify what type of algae you are dealing with and research what has been successful for people with that particular problem.

Also I would suggest getting a phosphate test kit b/c algae needs it to grow.

I would also suggest scraping first, then doing a 20-30% water change (try to get as much of the scrapped algae out as you can).

[bdharris66]

I am breaking it down and transporting it so I will be using new saltwater its a green hair alga wish I new how to post pics

[nlgill13]

try photobucket

[bdharris66]

did that work

[bdharris66]

there what the tank looks like what should I do

[Waddleboy]

Starting behind on algae is a pain in the butt. I'd wash everything, get new sand and start from there

[bdharris66]

ok what do I need to do about the live rock

[nlgill13]

Well this ones up to you but here are your options:

Try to stick it out with the tank, (scrap, waterchanges, etc.)

Or

If you want to make the tank have a different look, start over. Take out all the water, sand, and rock. Wash the tank out with distilled water or RO with vinegar and let it dry. Might have to do this a few time. Then start planning a new tank....All new sand, new rocks (most likely needed)...ie make it your own!!!


Best of luck and remember to take things slow

[bdharris66]

i am taking out all the water bc I am buying it from a guy who has been overseas that's why it looks like this and I am going to wash the tank and put new saltwater in it should I wash the sand and what should I do about the live rock in it should I clean it or just put in some stuff like crabs and snails to clean it up

[bdharris66]

I would like to keep the sand and live rock

[bdharris66]

and maybe I should ask this how can I reuse this sand and live rock

[BlindZide]

You would have to thoroughly wash the sand and rocks. Rocks would need a scrubbing and let dry out with another scrubbing to follow. Sand I would put it in a bucket and run water through it while using your hand to tumble it. Strain and repeat until strained watet is crystal clear.

[nlgill13]

Ooooohhhhh . I was thinking you might want to start the tank over again (ie get rid of all the sand and rock, flush the tank and start anew)

However the way you have mentioned means otherwise...I would suggest then, in your case, to leave a little water in the bottom of the tank so the sand bed doesn't dry out while transporting the tank. This way you can keep the live rock and sand by just adding fresh saltwater when you get home.

[BlindZide]

I think he intends on cleaning the rock and sand and using it. If he uses it as is he might be asking for a lot more trouble than he wants.

[Waddleboy]

You don't need new rocks. Take your rocks and give them a bleach and acid wash. 1:10 dilution should work. After rinse with water a couple times and let dry. This will kill everything on the rock as well as remove the outer layer. Sand is a lost cause have to get new that

[bdharris66]

ok thanks I would really like to keep the live rock and sand and keep it alive

[Waddleboy]

You won't be able to keep it alive cause if you do it will bring all of the algae with it

[bdharris66]

cant I get some shrimp and crabs to clean up the algae

[Waddleboy]

You can. But it's just hard to start from behind. The CUC will have eat the old algae and keep up with the new growing algae