Do you resurrect or just start over?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I'd like to see some opinions and hopefully have a fun conversation about the options of resurrecting a reef VS just rebooting completely.

If you have a reef tank that you've neglected for a long time...fish are doing great, but not really much of anything by way of corals, would you get things back in line and get it going the right direction, or would you start over completely? Why?

 

[dwair]

I'd like to see some opinions and hopefully have a fun conversation about the options of resurrecting a reef VS just rebooting completely.

If you have a reef tank that you've neglected for a long time...fish are doing great, but not really much of anything by way of corals, would you get things back in line and get it going the right direction, or would you start over completely? Why?

Depends on how far gone the tank is, if you are overrun with Aptasia or something like that and don’t really have any coral left, just start over. If it’s something easier like GHA, sure just get it in line

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Always resurrect! There is too much good stuff growing on those old rocks to think about starting over!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Depends on how far gone the tank is, if you are overrun with Aptasia or something like that and don’t really have any coral left, just start over. If it’s something easier like GHA, sure just get it in line

Good point. I hadn't thought about pest infestations. That would definitely make a difference. The conversation idea comes from personal experience. I opted to resurrect mine, and I did have a semi-frustrating aiptasia invasion, but berghias helped turn the tide for me.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Always resurrect! There is too much good stuff growing on those old rocks to think about starting over!

Good point. A complete reboot would pretty much mean going through the uglies and maturation again.

 

[makingitwork]

If you have the luxury of putting livestock somewhere else, and you have already attempted reef safe methods a restart may be the best option.

 

[Cell]

Algae, rip clean resurrection. Pest nem's or invasive coral take over, then probably reset.

 

[Ippyroy]

If I can resurrect without pricey equipment and bottles of cures, then always resurrect. Otherwise I'd just spend more time and effort resurrecting. Resetting is like giving up.
If it is caused by something like a bunch of copper got dumped in, then you have no choice.
I personally haven't read a thread or article yet about a pest or algae that couldn't be dealt with.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I vote always resurrect . (But honesty a reset would have been easier)

My tank cannot have been any worse. Whole thing brown from Dino. I lost almost everything (except the dang palys I hate) but I kept cleaning and going and rebuilt. It is a long road but I think worth it. It is documented in my 180 build.

Here is the pic right before the resurrection. A lot of work since then.

 

[Ippyroy]

I vote always resurrect . (But honesty a reset would have been easier)

My tank cannot have been any worse. Whole thing brown from Dino. I lost almost everything (except the dang palys I hate) but I kept cleaning and going and rebuilt. It is a long road but I think worth it. It is documented in my 180 build.

Here is the pic right before the resurrection. A lot of work since then.

And through all of the hard work you have a piece of pride and you learned a ton I bet. Congrats on the victory.

 

[Nick Steele]

Yeah I don’t think I could ever tear a tank down clean it then restart it (besides certain circumstances moving long distance etc). I would be too bummed out thinking of how it use to be.

I started this hobby knowing there would be challenges and that is part of what makes it fun for me. I enjoy the ups and downs! Got to learn from yourself or you’ll never be successful.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Very relevant topic for me. Yesterday I finally said farewell to my 46g tank that had taken many wrong turns, and in a way both rebooted and resurrected.

I chose the best most diverse rocks with corals and moved them into a 10g. I think of it as a mini resurrection.

I moved all of the fish and inverts to an "everything new" 50g that I started a couple months ago. This is the reboot.

It will be interesting to see how the challenges follow. Will I repeat the mistakes of the past with the new 50g? Will the nano with the old rock and corals keep the crazy high phosphates and other issues from the old tank?

I think I have some build thread stuff to update!

 

[HTXReefer]

My 6 year old dumped a whole container of Reef Roids in my tank and ripped out all of my macro algae while I was away on business which spawned dinos, GHA, killed all corals I decided to start over with a whole new tank. Finishing the stand now.

 

[Aquatican]

Interesting question, one that all of us have likely asked ourselves. I too, have been pondering the question, as I had a thriving nano reef will corals all grown out, and then, after deciding to switch salts, things went down hill. Long story short, got a bat batch of Neo Marine (Selenium was off the chart), and after months of water changes, corals started checking out. I needed to do a big water change, and thought that I would use the opportunity to facilitate a resurrection. After an 80% water change, a thoroughly cleaned my sump, and a relocated the aquarium, I though I was on the road to recovery. ICP numbers were better, but I ended up getting bryopsis, hair algae, and dino. (Later discovered that Neo Marine was putting unwanted PO3 in my aquarium with every water change >0.06). I have changed to a new salt again, beaten bryopsis with fluconazole, purged my sump of hair algae and treated 75% of my live rock with peroxide. However, I still have dino and my some of my corals are still not on the road to recovery. On Reefbum's advice, I am hoping a marco algae reactor and time will help me beat the dino and bring this resurection to a successful conclusion.

As you can imagine, it has been a long and frustrating struggle. I could have worked to make an upcoming upgrade happen sooner and thereby restarted in a new system. Live rock has been curing since January and the essentials for the upgrade have been bought. But, I guess the question you need to ask yourself is, will the restart lead to the same result in the future? If not, then restart. However, perseverance is something that everyone seems to preach in this hobby. Knowledge comes from it and is why a resurrection may be the way to go. Honestly, that is what I have perceived from all the threads and videos that I have read and watched. Besides, however much you put into making your reef better will only benefit you as a reefer and isn't that the ultimate goal of this hobby--learning to master the difficult, and at times the seemingly impossible, so that a living and vibrant ecosystem can thrive in our homes.

 

[DennisRoach]

I'd like to see some opinions and hopefully have a fun conversation about the options of resurrecting a reef VS just rebooting completely.

If you have a reef tank that you've neglected for a long time...fish are doing great, but not really much of anything by way of corals, would you get things back in line and get it going the right direction, or would you start over completely? Why?

I say always resurrect... Some resurrections may take longer than others depending on what needs to be overcome, but you have the essential foundations already laid. There are ways to overcome most obstacles... Aptasia, throw in some nudis and peppermint shrimp... GHA, get you a Lawnmower Blenny, some CUC, and a algae loving tang. Dinos... Water change, water change, water change, and find out what's throwing your #'s out of whack and stop doing whatever it is you are doing.

I just can't see myself ever blowing it up and starting over. That's like giving up. One of the most common phrases thrown around all the fish groups is "patience", and "nothing good happens quickly in this hobby". If you purchase a foreclosed house with a good foundation and solid bone structure you aren't going to bulldoze it and start over because it has pests, or mold. You are going to find the causes for the problem areas and fix it...same concept with a tank, find the root of the problems, fix it and then be super proud once it's back on the right track and looking good.

A little rambly, but just my thoughts

 

[aquaman67]

I personally really enjoy setting up new tanks. So any excuse I could come up with to start a new one would win.

Also, if you start over you can go in a new direction or get the lasted equipment.

I’m glad I did a reef but my true love is fish.

If the time ever comes for me I’m doing fish only.

Corals are cool but not my thing anymore.

Might even go back to freshwater.

 

[Todd1white]

Reboot! I fought aiptasia all over 200+ lbs of live rock in my 180g for about a year and a half. Tried everything, just kept getting worse. Boarded a few fish and corals. Sold the lr, dumped the live sand. Ran citric acid for a couple of days, sprayed everything down with peroxide. Bought an epoxy structure, got new dry sand and let the cycle begin again. I was definitely disappointed but didn’t want to completely give up. 6 months into the reboot I couldn’t be happier. It’s like getting a new tank!

 

[fish farmer]

In my experience I resurrect, but have thought of complete reboots from time to time, but that would be for a different direction of corals like SPS dominant.

My problems generally stem from a too big of a system so lack of WC, too many aips, etc, etc. is why problems got away from me.

My current 29 had a success period years ago, then I got busy and nutrients built up and GHA took over and the aiptasia came back as well. It took some time but water parameters are back on track and aips are generally under some control.

My biggest fear if I was to reboot is having to follow a strict protocol for not allowing pest, etc to take over and I just don't have that type of intesity for this hobby to follow QT and be clean all the time.

 

[Auquanut]

Great topic! I'd personally have to go with resurrection. I'm a troubleshooter by nature, and have a hard time admitting defeat. On the other hand, there's nothing like the adventure of setting up a new tank and watching it mature. Hopefully I'll be starting a new build within the year (I keep pushing it back) , so I'll have the best of both worlds.

 

[ScottB]

I cannot imagine what it would take for me to give up on my old live rock. Granted, vermiteds are testing my patience right now, but still that rock is worth its weight in gold. (Nearly)

Don't get me wrong; I yearn for a good excuse to upgrade now and then. But restarting without my rock would feel like waiting forever to get my SPS back.