breaking down and resetting up 29g reef

AC2020x · 10/26/2009, 04:59 PM

Hey, I've decided I want to break down my 9 or so month tank that has some problems with it and then re-set it back up and make it into a reef tank from a FOWLR. I've moved my other fish to my 125g tank for now.

My 29g was my first tank and I didn't do everything as well as I would have liked but now I will change that.

My tank had some bad issues with cyno and hair algae. Is the sand and rocks salvageable. What do you suggest I do to them before they are usable again? If not I will just go with new rocks + sand.

Should I store them in water or completly dry them out and let them dye?

Thanks for any help or ideas!
-AC

jvr1102 · 10/26/2009, 07:10 PM

Do you currently have issues with it? I guess I don't understand why you would break it down rather than solve the issues. If you don't know what is causing the issues and cannot resolve the issues now why would you think breaking it down and doing it again would solve it? Down the road you probably will experience the same things. Not trying to be harsh even though I may have come out that way.

AC2020x · 10/26/2009, 08:18 PM

I get what your saying, but to change it into a reef, I want to change up my rock stucture dramatically cause I really don't like it. Also I was using a petco salt which I believe led to many issues while I had my tank. As well as not very good water, so my rocks are covered in hair algae and my sand is covered in cyno alage. And I would like to start fresh so I know I don't have any of these issues I've caused with my first tank.

AC2020x · 10/26/2009, 09:01 PM

So my question is what is the best/quickest way to kill everything on the rock? Should i just put it in the sun for a while?

lordofthereef · 10/26/2009, 10:42 PM

I would chuck the sand and cook the rock.

PRDubois · 10/27/2009, 12:04 AM

Get new DRY sand.
Clean tank with Vinager and rinse with RODI.

To totally KILL EVERYTHING on the rock:
Boil it on the stove for 20 min rapid boil. THEN
Bake it in the oven for 1 hour at 350
Let it cool and put back in the tank with the new sand.

Seed sand with 4 cups or so of sand from an established tank.
Seed rock with some good Live rock

AC2020x · 10/27/2009, 10:00 AM

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll most likely do that with my rock!! Any ideas of a good place online to get good dry sand???

iwishtofish · 10/27/2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2020x

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll most likely do that with my rock!! Any ideas of a good place online to get good dry sand???

Keep in mind your rock will probably cause a cycle in the new setup, as it will likely contain dead organic matter.

Might want to check with Drs. Foster and Smith sand prices. I think they are having a really low flat-rate shipping promotion that might apply to the sand, as well!

10/26/2009, 04:59 PM	#1
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	breaking down and resetting up 29g reef Hey, I've decided I want to break down my 9 or so month tank that has some problems with it and then re-set it back up and make it into a reef tank from a FOWLR. I've moved my other fish to my 125g tank for now. My 29g was my first tank and I didn't do everything as well as I would have liked but now I will change that. My tank had some bad issues with cyno and hair algae. Is the sand and rocks salvageable. What do you suggest I do to them before they are usable again? If not I will just go with new rocks + sand. Should I store them in water or completly dry them out and let them dye? Thanks for any help or ideas! -AC

10/26/2009, 10:42 PM	#5
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I would chuck the sand and cook the rock. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/27/2009, 12:04 AM	#6
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Get new DRY sand. Clean tank with Vinager and rinse with RODI. *To totally KILL EVERYTHING on the rock:* Boil it on the stove for 20 min rapid boil. THEN Bake it in the oven for 1 hour at 350 Let it cool and put back in the tank with the new sand. Seed sand with 4 cups or so of sand from an established tank. Seed rock with some good Live rock __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

10/26/2009, 07:10 PM	#2
jvr1102 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 521	Do you currently have issues with it? I guess I don't understand why you would break it down rather than solve the issues. If you don't know what is causing the issues and cannot resolve the issues now why would you think breaking it down and doing it again would solve it? Down the road you probably will experience the same things. Not trying to be harsh even though I may have come out that way.

10/26/2009, 08:18 PM	#3
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	I get what your saying, but to change it into a reef, I want to change up my rock stucture dramatically cause I really don't like it. Also I was using a petco salt which I believe led to many issues while I had my tank. As well as not very good water, so my rocks are covered in hair algae and my sand is covered in cyno alage. And I would like to start fresh so I know I don't have any of these issues I've caused with my first tank.

10/26/2009, 09:01 PM	#4
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	So my question is what is the best/quickest way to kill everything on the rock? Should i just put it in the sun for a while?

10/27/2009, 10:00 AM	#7
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Ok, thanks for the info, I'll most likely do that with my rock!! Any ideas of a good place online to get good dry sand???