Redoing rockwork in 20G.

[Nick Steele]

Okay so I’ve been able to keep my GHA at bay but can’t get past it completely. It’s not growing back nearly as fast if at all but I can’t get the rest of it to die. I have finally got a reading on phosphate .03ppm and nitrate 1-3ppm and it seems to be helping. I’m giving myself another month to get ahead of it but if I can’t I’m debating removing all my rocks and changing them out.


If I do this I still have 4-6lbs of rock rubble on my AIO chambers that should have beneficial bacteria but I’m not quite sure if that would be enough to sustain my livestock.

I have
1 clown
1 rainford’s goby
10-12 hermit crabs
1 trochus snail
2 tuxedo urchins
Countless brittle stars

Tank is barebottom and has 2 ai 16hds lighting it.

I have two of these filled with rock rubble that’s been in the tank for 3 years now.

Full tank shot to see what I’m dealing with.

 

[blaxsun]

I don't know how much rock you have in your tank so I can't make any kind of comparison if the rubble you have would be sufficient. Is all the rock glued together or can you remove it in pieces?

 

[Nick Steele]

I don't know how much rock you have in your tank so I can't make any kind of comparison if the rubble you have would be sufficient. Is all the rock glued together or can you remove it in pieces?

Glued together and would have to be all moved at once.

I’d say it’s 15lbs or so in the display tank. I bought 40lbs when I set tank up and have about half left over still.

 

[blaxsun]

Glued together and would have to be all moved at once.

I’d say it’s 15lbs or so in the display tank. I bought 40lbs when I set tank up and have about half left over still.

You could always try removing the rock to a saltwater bin, scrub most of of the algae off and return to the tank?

 

[Nick Steele]

You could always try removing the rock to a saltwater bin, scrub most of of the algae off and return to the tank?

That’s part of the plan! Just trying to think of worst case if I need to change rocks if it’s possible without losing corals and fish.

 

[blaxsun]

That’s part of the plan! Just trying to think of worst case if I need to change rocks if it’s possible without losing corals and fish.

You could always "seed" some new rock to replace it entirely?

 

[Woodyman]

@blaxsun is hitting everything I'd repeat.

You could start building and curing new and after you get that curing remove the current rock and scrub then return it while you give the new rock more time.

Another option would be to create your new one in 2 separate pieces. Build half, remove your current and scrub. Before you place it back in break it in half so that you then have half and half in the tank. A few weeks later swap the other half. That is if you want to completely replace with new.

 

[jabberwock]

I got four beautiful words for you: Real Ocean Live Rock

You are close enough for local pick up from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

 

[ScottJ]

Get yourself a tote to put your unused, leftover rock in. Put it in a dark place. Add saltwater, a heater, a pump, and one of your baskets of seasoned rubble. Put the cover on and let it sit for a few weeks. Meantime, add another basket of rubble to the back of your tank. You will have seasoned rock you can change out with the old stuff, no worries.

 

[blaxsun]

Get yourself a tote to put your unused, leftover rock in. Put it in a dark place. Add saltwater, a heater, a pump, and one of your baskets of seasoned rubble. Put the cover on and let it sit for a few weeks. Meantime, add another basket of rubble to the back of your tank. You will have seasoned rock you can change out with the old stuff, no worries.

You can also place your used filters/filter floss in as well. Along with any water from your next water change.

 

[Propane]

Have you tried turning down the white light or was it on just for the photo.