1st major tank cleaning.

[Titleist1964]

I'm about to do a good scraping, AIO section cleaning, removing the heater, return pump, Nero 3 and go right through it. I want to remove a couple rocks and rearrange them, some have corals on them. I was going to put a couple rocks and my 2 clowns in a 5 gallon bucket while I do this cleaning. How long is a safe time they can sit in the bucket while I do my work?

 

[FurrierTransform]

If you have an air pump and air stone, I'd feel comfortable keeping them there a day (assuming your temperature is stable, not more than say +/- 2-3 degrees F). Your rock should hold enough bacteria to deal with the ammonia the livestock exude. I assume you will have a fairly high percentage of new water, so I think a larger issue is the new water chemistry, esp. salinity. Make it up ahead of time, agitate and aerate, match salinity, and that will help immensely.

 

[Titleist1964]

If you have an air pump and air stone, I'd feel comfortable keeping them there a day (assuming your temperature is stable, not more than say +/- 2-3 degrees F). Your rock should hold enough bacteria to deal with the ammonia the livestock exude. I assume you will have a fairly high percentage of new water, so I think a larger issue is the new water chemistry, esp. salinity. Make it up ahead of time, agitate and aerate, match salinity, and that will help immensely.

I have a 20 gallon cube, I'm only tackling about 4 gallons today, I dont have a pump or stone and I'm sure I can have the glass cleaned and scraped in less than an hour. Thank you.

 

[FurrierTransform]

I have a 20 gallon cube, I'm only tackling about 4 gallons today, I dont have a pump or stone and I'm sure I can have the glass cleaned and scraped in less than an hour. Thank you.

Go for it, but be sure to match salinity.

 

[Titleist1964]

Go for it, but be sure to match salinity.

TY, job is done. Took less then an hour, everyone is back in the tank and happy. I think it took longer to prep and clean up ,lol.