JBJ 45 to Break Down or Not

[Devisissy]

We are having new carpet put in this spring and repainting. We were going to go around the tank. However that seems counter productive. There are some things in these five years I decided I want to change.

I love my rockwork but it makes placing coral difficult because of the crazy par change between it, so there is not a lot to work with placement wise. We went with a really course sand, and a deep sandbed which most know, (I didn't at the time), is a bad idea. I would like to switch the sand out completely, maybe an inch deep and fine. Also, I hate my skimmer with a passion. It was crap from the start but the tank is too close to the wall to change out. Last but not least, the stand the JBJ came with is crap and I was thinking of having one custom made and skinned locally.

I have zero clue how to go about doing this. Will my tank have to cycle then? Or will the matrix in the back chamber be enough with the live rock? Anyone have experience? I have two clowns and a blenny, a shrimp, and it's lightly stocked. So no better time than now?

 

[Bob Escher]

We are having new carpet put in this spring and repainting. We were going to go around the tank. However that seems counter productive. There are some things in these five years I decided I want to change.

I love my rockwork but it makes placing coral difficult because of the crazy par change between it, so there is not a lot to work with placement wise. We went with a really course sand, and a deep sandbed which most know, (I didn't at the time), is a bad idea. I would like to switch the sand out completely, maybe an inch deep and fine. Also, I hate my skimmer with a passion. It was crap from the start but the tank is too close to the wall to change out. Last but not least, the stand the JBJ came with is crap and I was thinking of having one custom made and skinned locally.

I have zero clue how to go about doing this. Will my tank have to cycle then? Or will the matrix in the back chamber be enough with the live rock? Anyone have experience? I have two clowns and a blenny, a shrimp, and it's lightly stocked. So no better time than now?

Well I agree with you that the stand is crap. When I first got mine I ended up adding two strips of one by threes to the walls and top. I started out with with icecap PK skimmer. But I ended up adding a overflow and putting in a sump

I believe you ought to go slow with everything and I disagree with the deep sand bed versus a thin sand bed.
I guess it’s a difference of opinion
But go slow take it slow and get gas masks thecsand is going to stink

 

[Devisissy]

Bob I would love to know how you went about adding in a sump. I would do this in a heartbeat.

Actually edited to say no I wouldn't. I would get a new tank first.

 

[Bob Escher]

Bob I would love to know how you went about adding in a sump. I would do this in a heartbeat.

Actually edited to say no I wouldn't. I would get a new tank first.

I want a new tank too but I’m in a condo on the 2nd floor and the wife won’t let me at this time
I have documented my first time around in a utube video below using a tunze overflow
And a Trigger Systems cube sump. Some guys have built a partial sump and keeping the middle support. I did away with the middle support. ( the 1x3’s around it).

Since then I cut out part of a basket and installed a CPR 90 overflow

I will need to upload a video to utube ( 7 minutes long) to show you what it is today
If you would like me you tube is in my sig

 

[Shep]

How heavily stocked in your tank? Could you set up a temp quarantine style tank while you reworked it?

 

[Devisissy]

How heavily stocked in your tank? Could you set up a temp quarantine style tank while you reworked it?

Yup. A rubber maid tote and the skimmer may due the trick. Maybe if I want to get fancy a powerhead and a canister for the matrix to swish around with.

I guess my main concern is the cycling of the tank after resetting it back up.

 

[Jon Gracey]

Yup the stand is crap. I built my own for around $200. All 3/4 ply, no need for 2x4's (thats way over building for this tank).

Also, I don't really see an issue if you are using the same rock and matrix. However I would prepare/expect for a mini cycle of algae's. Would also suggest rinsing the new sand well to remove any derbies that it may have. Heck you might even be able to "cure" the sand before hand. Not sure if that would help or not.