Clean, clean, clean your tank!!

[RareEarthCorals]

I am really big on cleaning my tank and what would benefit us all is a sticky on what we clean and the process. I would rather clean than deal with the fall out. A healthy tank is a happy tank.

For example,

I clean pre filters, filters and media bags the morning after feeding as part of an overall maintenance plan. Benefits are obvious as we know small particles and fluids flow back into the sump settling in and on media bags and filters.

Process:
I wait until the following morning after feeding the night before. I start will pulling out all filters and media bags and rinse in a gallon of tank water and replace all filters and add back one gallon of fresh sea water.

Are there any before or after regiments that you do in order to keep organics as low as possible? Any helpful hints?

 

[JBNY]

I am more a big fan of water changes and skimming to clean to water. All water changes I clean and siphon the detritus from the sump. Also use a turkey baster to blow off the rocks once a week, that makes a big difference in getting detritus up and out of the tank so it can be removed. For the first time in about 13 years I just started using some filter socks about 6 months ago, but other than keeping less detritus from settling in the sump I wouldn't say it keep my DT any cleaning looking.

 

[brandon429]

Good thread

I literally take apart my entire reef once a decade setting the rocks and the corals in a bucket, either rinse out or change 100% of the sand (using tap does not sterilize it, you rinse w tap cool water then final 2 rinses are sw to save money)

tap water in brief contact is a poor poor poor sterilizer
and put the entire reef back together for another instant setup no cycle tank. This can be done anytime thats needed, i now have a sandbed that doesnt kick up waste when stirred, its rinsed totally. there are still nitrifiers due to the various slimes sludges and biofilms and associative housings that protect them, but 100% of organics are gone.

Mini cycles or cycles occur from partial disturbance of organics, or the animals that die from being in that condition. total and thorough removal of organics especially when rock and life is held elsewhere, is the secret to an indefinite, unlimited life span reef and mines only a gallon large. works with any size tank, but smaller ones are easier to pull this off for obvious reasons. clearly its the same ends for larger tank members if they just stay on accumulation prevention as steps. But where accessible, we can take apart any reef for cleaning and not recycle it