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12/07/2018, 02:22 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 57
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Restart dormant tank
I had a FOWLR tank that died when Hurricane Sandy knocked out the power for 2 weeks. Tank has been dormant for 6 years. Just a box of water, sand, and rocks. I want to start her up again.
First question, I am painting the house and I would like to paint behind the tank if possible. It's a 125, 6 feet long, on a wood cabinet stand. Is it possible to drain most of the water and slide the whole thing out a few inches? Should I keep the rocks wet? They have been just sitting there for 6 years with no light, heat, or circulation, so I assume they're no longer live. Does it matter at this point if they go dry? What about the sand? Should I just ditch all the water and start new? Ditch everything and start new? What should I do with the pumps and skimmer? Once I'm ready, do I just refill the water, add back the rocks (if removed), turn everything on and wait for the cycle, or will I need to do something else to start the cycle? Any other advice or anything else I need to know? |
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12/07/2018, 02:30 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 944
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drain it completely, take all rock and sand out. then it can be moved. Start over with new sand, rocks should be ok but clean them off before going back in tank. Pretty much will be like starting a new tank. Clean the tank and etc as well.
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12/07/2018, 02:46 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 57
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Should I keep the rocks wet?
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12/07/2018, 06:46 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
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IMO keep the rocks damp...This is a great test to see if you even have a cycle...Im betting little no cycle as bacteria is already present in sufficient quantities even after all that time...
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