Purchased used tank what should I consider when setting it up

mruskin · 02/18/2015, 12:40 PM

I purchased a used 75G tank, equipment, rocks, coral, fish, etc...

What recommendations can you give me to be successful.

I plan to reuse the live rock and water so that it is not a "new tank". The sand has some green algae in it, not sure what else.

Should I replace the sand or is it ok to reuse what is already in the tank?

Zooxanthus · 02/18/2015, 12:46 PM

keep whats in it. dont let the filters dry out! all that stuff has the bacteria you want on it dont let it die or you will have to start all over. the bacteria eats the waste from the fish. Without that, the waste will just build up and kill everything.

Sk8r · 02/18/2015, 01:24 PM

Replace sand with aragonite sand, medium grade (not superfine). If dry sand, wash, wash, wash, wash.

mruskin · 02/18/2015, 01:31 PM

I'll have to ask if it is aragonite sand. Why do you recommend this? If it is already aragonite do you agree with Zooxanthus and keep what is already in there?

igot2gats · 02/18/2015, 03:10 PM

I would set up a QT tank(s) for the fish, at minimum.

That would be a good start, if you ask me.

02/18/2015, 12:40 PM	#1
mruskin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 2	Purchased used tank what should I consider when setting it up I purchased a used 75G tank, equipment, rocks, coral, fish, etc... What recommendations can you give me to be successful. I plan to reuse the live rock and water so that it is not a "new tank". The sand has some green algae in it, not sure what else. Should I replace the sand or is it ok to reuse what is already in the tank?

02/18/2015, 12:46 PM	#2
Zooxanthus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Aurora, CO. Posts: 60	keep whats in it. dont let the filters dry out! all that stuff has the bacteria you want on it dont let it die or you will have to start all over. the bacteria eats the waste from the fish. Without that, the waste will just build up and kill everything. __________________ May your passion and reason be the sail and rudder of your sea fairing soul. Current Tank Info: 180 gal Reef 3x 250w HQI's w/T5's, Phosban reactor, Protein skimmer, UV. sterilizer, Trickle Filter

02/18/2015, 01:24 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Replace sand with aragonite sand, medium grade (not superfine). If dry sand, wash, wash, wash, wash. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/18/2015, 03:10 PM	#5
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	I would set up a QT tank(s) for the fish, at minimum. That would be a good start, if you ask me. __________________ Jeff Stop being lazy, and use the search function. Seriously. Current Tank Info: 75g DT / 20g sump / 20g QT - Eheim 1250, Tunze Osmolator 3155, GHL Profilux 3, 2 Tunze 6095, Tunze Wavebox, Aqua Illumination Hydra LEDs

02/18/2015, 01:31 PM	#4
mruskin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 2	I'll have to ask if it is aragonite sand. Why do you recommend this? If it is already aragonite do you agree with Zooxanthus and keep what is already in there?