Replacing rock work - established tank

Idal305 · 03/25/2017, 05:09 PM

Little background on my tank.
Biocube 29 bare bottom established for over two years. 2 clowns , bicolor blenny, purple firefish, 2 turbo snails, 1 emerald crab (won't touch bubble algae), red fire shrimp.

Various lps and hardy sps everything growing and looks good. I change my water weekly 5g of aqua forest reef salt. I dose reef fusion 1 and 2 daily and mag when needed. Rod carbon changed approx every 10 days. Brs gfo as needed. Tunze 9001 (changing for al115 or an hob skimmer)

Alk 8-9
Cal 420
Mag 1300-1350

I hate my current rock work I also have some bubble algae along with some red mushrooms that spread off my back wall. My back wall is nearly covered in them.

I'd like to completely re-do my rock work. My plan is to order 25lbs of brs dry Fiji rock (more than likely won't use all 25lbs). I plan on curing the rock for atleast one month.

My dilemma is I'm not sure if I could replace all my rock at once and it not affect my tank negatively. I don't wanna add any of my current rock to the current process because I'm afraid of introducing bubble algae to the new rock work. I'd like to not switch it out slowly to not cross contaminate the new rock with bubble algae.

I'm thinking of adding as many marine pure blocks into my chamber 2 (cut to size) and waiting two to three months so they become established. Then making the switch. Any opinions to what I should do. Thanks in advance.

deputydog95 · 03/25/2017, 05:11 PM

Why not put the new dry rock up front and just keep an eye on it? Hassle but less risky to avoid cycling your tank.

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Idal305 · 03/25/2017, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deputydog95

Why not put the new dry rock up front and just keep an eye on it? Hassle but less risky to avoid cycling your tank.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I was hoping to avoid contact between old rock work and new rock work due to the bubble algae on the current rock work.

deputydog95 · 03/25/2017, 05:32 PM

Is there not enough space to have both in there with no contact? Couldn't you pile the old rock up in a corner? Not pretty but if you could get it out of the way it would make space for the new rock.

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Idal305 · 03/25/2017, 05:48 PM

True. I could space it out between the rear chambers and the display. Definitely an option. Thanks.

03/25/2017, 05:09 PM	#1
Idal305 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 90	Replacing rock work - established tank Little background on my tank. Biocube 29 bare bottom established for over two years. 2 clowns , bicolor blenny, purple firefish, 2 turbo snails, 1 emerald crab (won't touch bubble algae), red fire shrimp. Various lps and hardy sps everything growing and looks good. I change my water weekly 5g of aqua forest reef salt. I dose reef fusion 1 and 2 daily and mag when needed. Rod carbon changed approx every 10 days. Brs gfo as needed. Tunze 9001 (changing for al115 or an hob skimmer) Alk 8-9 Cal 420 Mag 1300-1350 I hate my current rock work I also have some bubble algae along with some red mushrooms that spread off my back wall. My back wall is nearly covered in them. I'd like to completely re-do my rock work. My plan is to order 25lbs of brs dry Fiji rock (more than likely won't use all 25lbs). I plan on curing the rock for atleast one month. My dilemma is I'm not sure if I could replace all my rock at once and it not affect my tank negatively. I don't wanna add any of my current rock to the current process because I'm afraid of introducing bubble algae to the new rock work. I'd like to not switch it out slowly to not cross contaminate the new rock with bubble algae. I'm thinking of adding as many marine pure blocks into my chamber 2 (cut to size) and waiting two to three months so they become established. Then making the switch. Any opinions to what I should do. Thanks in advance. __________________ my reef idols: tinpanva, mhucasey, bigE

03/25/2017, 05:11 PM	#2
deputydog95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 966	Why not put the new dry rock up front and just keep an eye on it? Hassle but less risky to avoid cycling your tank. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk __________________ Red Sea Reefer 500 Peninsula, Apex Controller, Apex Wav (2), Apex DOS, Kessil 360WE (3), T5's (4), Kessil H160 Fuge light, RO Regal 150SSS Skimmer, RO DC Return Pump, Red Sea A&B

03/25/2017, 05:32 PM	#4
deputydog95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 966	Is there not enough space to have both in there with no contact? Couldn't you pile the old rock up in a corner? Not pretty but if you could get it out of the way it would make space for the new rock. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk __________________ Red Sea Reefer 500 Peninsula, Apex Controller, Apex Wav (2), Apex DOS, Kessil 360WE (3), T5's (4), Kessil H160 Fuge light, RO Regal 150SSS Skimmer, RO DC Return Pump, Red Sea A&B

03/25/2017, 05:48 PM	#5
Idal305 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 90	True. I could space it out between the rear chambers and the display. Definitely an option. Thanks. __________________ my reef idols: tinpanva, mhucasey, bigE