How Should I deep Clean My Cube Tank?!?

[Jsan1995]

Hi , I hope everyone is having a good day and are enjoying the last days of this “great year”.

I have a situation as you can see in the picture, this is a perfect cube saltwater tank that I put together after having issues with a 40g tank. Had to make some adjustments and I’m running into some issues with this Algea. I got distracted into other things that needed my attention and poorly forgot about this tank .

how should I start the process of deep cleaning this tank. The rocks are also cover in Algea and greenish, not a desirable color. I have seen some methods, however, I’m not sure which one to do. Currently will be removing all the Algea from the glass surface and a minor water change to not stress anything in the tank. Any advice ? How to stop the Algea grow? How to keep a clean tank? How to properly clean and give better look to the rocks?

 

[Spare time]

Maybe try some vibrant or waste away (and maybe refresh with waste away if you don't have shrimps and other inverts). If your nitrate and phosphate are both high, either of those should help chew through it and clean out the rockwork.

 

[Jsan1995]

Thank you!! I did some research before and vibrant seem to work out in most of the testing phases. I will have to order some online i don’t know yet which store carries them around my area.

 

[Fishko]

I would start by cleaning the glass, and then move on from there. If u can id what kind of algae that would help. What does your cuc look like at the moment.

 

[Spare time]

Thank you!! I did some research before and vibrant seem to work out in most of the testing phases. I will have to order some online i don’t know yet which store carries them around my area.

If they don't have vibrant, waste away will work too. I think microbacter clean is very similar as well.

Just make sure that your monitor nitrate and phosphate before and during the dosing. Never let them hit 0.

 

[terraincognita]

Hi , I hope everyone is having a good day and are enjoying the last days of this “great year”.

I have a situation as you can see in the picture, this is a perfect cube saltwater tank that I put together after having issues with a 40g tank. Had to make some adjustments and I’m running into some issues with this Algea. I got distracted into other things that needed my attention and poorly forgot about this tank .

how should I start the process of deep cleaning this tank. The rocks are also cover in Algea and greenish, not a desirable color. I have seen some methods, however, I’m not sure which one to do. Currently will be removing all the Algea from the glass surface and a minor water change to not stress anything in the tank. Any advice ? How to stop the Algea grow? How to keep a clean tank? How to properly clean and give better look to the rocks?

Dragonet is still alive! That must mean you got pods growing, or you got him switched to frozen.

Honestly I like dirty tanks like this, because normally they have a healthy eco system.

I wouldn't disturb it too much in one go.

Start with the glass, wait a week, then do the rocks, wait a week then the sand.

Dont do it all at once.

Especially if it's a newer tank.

Unless you have 50% WC water ready for nutrient spike potential i'd take it slow on the cleaning up.

Dosing for algae on rocks possibly, but try to clean it up first before just dosing right away.

 

[Uncle99]

Brush off and suck out as much as possible.
Vibrant yes, it will work, but takes a month or so to notice, took me 16 weeks to get rid of 100%, but did work completely for me.

If you have nothing photosynthetic, turn the lights out.

Ninja Astrea, say one for each rock, continue to reposition them back on areas affected.

Test for phosphate, zero is bad, anywhere between 0.03 and .1ppm would be ideal. Use a GFO if it’s to high (I suspect it is)

Test for Nitrate, zero is bad, anywhere between 2-5ppm would be ideal. Carbon dosing with Nopox is the easiest approach to lowering Nitrates, but again, will takes at least 4 weeks to make a difference. I still run it today, 4 years after starting. It gives me
5ppm in a well fed tank.

To get the biggest advantage out of carbon dosing, if you can add any amount of marine pure in your system, these provide a ton of “home” for those bacteria that work their magic in the low oxygen zones.

That tank just needs balanced water chemistry, a couple snails and some time.

If you nuke it, you’ll loose the goods guys as well.

Just some ideas that you may consider....good luck.