Clean or leave it

[rferraro21]

I bought I used 72 gallon bowfront that I'd like to make into a reef tank. The previous owner had it drained for 3 or 4 days. It came with the sand and one rock. I filled it up and dumped the sand in and put the rock in. I have some reef saver rock coming this week and I plan to get that in there and let it all cycle. Should I have cleaned all that coralline growth off the back, I thought leaving it would help seed new growth. Will a tank like this cycle faster since it had all the old bio balls, sand, and rock from the old setup?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Personal choice. Most likely coralline algae. Once exposed to the air for extended periods it will die. It will most likely turn white once wet again. I'd remove it with vinegar and a razor blade. Rinse well and dry. Good to go.

 

[rferraro21]

Can I remove it now that I have it filled with water?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes, use a clean razor blade, but be careful around the silicone.

 

[rferraro21]

Yes, use a clean razor blade, but be careful around the silicone.

Thanks, how will I get it out once I scrape it? Just use a net or something? I imagine it will come off in decent size pieces.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Net, siphon out the pieces and or place a tupperware bowl in the tank and transfer the "chunks" into it, when done, place the top on the bowl and remove. That way the "chunks" don't float back into the DT. Good luck and happy reefing!