Need some help.

[dodgedk11]

I have had my 29 gallon reef tank running for just over a year now and I am having a bad bubble algae outbreak. I need to move the tank from the room It Is In now to a different room due to a new baby expected In July. My question Is that when I move the tank I am going to take most of the water and rocks out to move it, should I just clean the rocks off and put them back in the tank or use new rocks? I have been siphoning out the bubble algae every time I do a water change but it has not made a deference, it just keeps coming back. Do you guys think that I should add new sand to the tank to? I am also worried that if I add new rocks and new sand that the tank will have to cycle again. Thanks for your help!

 

[glb]

The tank will recycle if you add live sand or uncured live rock. As far as the bubble algae, I've heard it's really hard to get rid of.

 

[Chris Adams]

Well I have had both Red and Green bubble algae and Red by far is the worst. With the green we noticed it soon enough(also only talking 30gl tank) we were able to pull the rocks and immediately remove the bubble algae and wash with fresh water and put back in tank.


If it is as bad as it sounds I would start over or that crap is going to hound you. I had even changed tanks 1 time and thought I thoroughly cleaned the rocks(of the red bubble algae) but **** things just came back.

Good luck

 

[dodgedk11]

Ok so I guess the best option is just to pull the rocks out one at a time and scrape the algae off. Should I just rinse the rocks off with fresh water, or should I use some kind of cleaning solution. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[glb]

I use a toothbrush and it works like a charm. Dog toothbrushes often have long handles and tiny brushes to get into the little crevices.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

you can scrub the rocks in old tank water with a clean scrub brush. you could also dip the rocks in H2O2/salt water 1 part to 5 parts saltwater. These are bandaid cures. What is the root cause? Nitrate? Phosphate? What are you doing to control them? When you move the tank a good sand vac and water change will help. The baby is going to like the fish tank by the way. Mine liked to be parked in front of it in their bouncy chairs. I miss those days. Enjoy that Baby.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I forgot. Emerald crab. I had one that liked it. Also if its not to bad just roll with it. Look for the causes, and a cure. It could be worse, Green hair algae. You could pick them off the rocks without popping them and remove them from the tank. That would be nutrient export.