Reef restart

[10galtank]

I am considering doing a full 100% water change in my tank. If you’ve read my past posts, you can see that my tank just hasn’t been able to reach correct parameters— thus resulting in endless coral deaths and issues. It’s making me want to quit, but the only time you fail is when you quit. I want to start from scratch in this tank, to achieve baseline parameters from my mixed saltwater and build upon that. Any suggestions?

 

[Stevorino]

I've done it before, many times in fact. Usually I'd drain it as far as I could without overstressing fish and then do a big one (~80%). Then maybe another 30-50% afterwards. I typically would vacuum the **** out the sand and clean up rock work on front end as well.

 

[10galtank]

I've done it before, many times in fact. Usually I'd drain it as far as I could without overstressing fish and then do a big one (~80%). Then maybe another 30-50% afterwards. I typically would vacuum the **** out the sand and clean up rock work on front end as well.

Roger that, I’m so fed up with stressing over my tank that I feel a restart is necessary. Do you think my coral will take another hit from this decision? They aren’t looking the best currently. If so, I have a small 13.5 I can keep them in temporarily.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've also done 100% water changes, it always been fine for me, but its not a reef restart, its just a large water change.

A complete restart, or rip clean as some call it, means pulling your rocks and sand and cleaning them thoroughly. Then you are really starting from scratch.

But it depends what parameter exactly you are trying to correct.

 

[10galtank]

I've also done 100% water changes, it always been fine for me, but its not a reef restart, its just a large water change.

A complete restart, or rip clean as some call it, means pulling your rocks and sand and cleaning them thoroughly. Then you are really starting from scratch.

But it depends what parameter exactly you are trying to correct.

My goal here would be too get baseline parameters from the saltwater mix, and build to the desired range from that. My ph refuses to raise from a max of 7.4, nitrates are through the roof no matter what I do while phosphates are undetectable and refuse to rise even after dosing. Magnesium and calcium are perfect.

 

[10galtank]

I've also done 100% water changes, it always been fine for me, but its not a reef restart, its just a large water change.

A complete restart, or rip clean as some call it, means pulling your rocks and sand and cleaning them thoroughly. Then you are really starting from scratch.

But it depends what parameter exactly you are trying to correct.

Every coral I put inside the tank retracts and shows skeleton— specifically the acans. I tried adjusting the light spectrum, to no avail.

 

[Seansea]

What is your filtration? Do you have a fuge or algae scrubber? Can really help get nitrates down and push ph up.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Every coral I put inside the tank retracts and shows skeleton— specifically the acans. I tried adjusting the light spectrum, to no avail.

I remember some of your posts and I just scanned them again, I'm sorry you are struggling.

None of my business, I see you trying and I really want success for you, my suggestion is go back and start from square one and go super slow:
-rocks should be a pound per gallon, so example 20 gallon tank should have 15-20 lbs of rock
-flow should be 10x turnover minimum, 20x-30x is much better, provided by 2 powerheads minimum
-heavy surface agitation (think about white water rapids...)
-Quality Protein Skimmer to provide oxygen
-water should be rodi water
-water change 5%-10% weekly to start
-No Dosing at all

Your tank should have all the above for best chance of success, so honestly fix your tank like above and I'm sure you will see better results very quickly. Don't cut any corners, and don't dose anything until your tank is half full of corals.

 

[Stevorino]

Roger that, I’m so fed up with stressing over my tank that I feel a restart is necessary. Do you think my coral will take another hit from this decision? They aren’t looking the best currently. If so, I have a small 13.5 I can keep them in temporarily.

They might, but generally I have been pretty lucky.

If concerned about it, do a few 50% changes over the course of the week. That will be far less shocking and still achieve similar parameter results.

 

[KrisReef]

They might, but generally I have been pretty lucky.

If concerned about it, do a few 50% changes over the course of the week. That will be far less shocking and still achieve similar parameter results.

I liked your post but your math is not correct regarding parameters, especially the Nitrate that the OP is concerned about.

(Edit- you said similar, not same My BAD)

A 50% on Monday takes 100NO3 to 50NO3.

The second 50%change brings us to 25NO3.

A 100%change brings parameters to what ever the salt mix and RODI water make up.

Impact upon coral of a 100% water change may be nil or huge depending on the differences between parameters in the old and new environments.

If the OP is struggling( welcome to the struggle!). Perfect tanks are rare and challenges are often.

I think it takes 4 or 5 50% water changes to approach similar parameter improvements to a 100%(with RODI and “perfect” salt mix) water change.

Last note. Don’t change salts often. It’s easier to replicate parameters with the same salt mix, in theory.

Sorry for my confusion @Stevorino

 

[10galtank]

What is your filtration? Do you have a fuge or algae scrubber? Can really help get nitrates down and push ph up.

No fuge or scrubber as of current. Had a chaeto ball but the current in my sump broke it apart— was small anyway. I’m running a 10 gallon sump with filter socks, rocks, and a hob canister filter with chemipure/charcoal/filter floss

 

[10galtank]

I remember some of your posts and I just scanned them again, I'm sorry you are struggling.

None of my business, I see you trying and I really want success for you, my suggestion is go back and start from square one and go super slow:
-rocks should be a pound per gallon, so example 20 gallon tank should have 15-20 lbs of rock
-flow should be 10x turnover minimum, 20x-30x is much better, provided by 2 powerheads minimum
-heavy surface agitation (think about white water rapids...)
-Quality Protein Skimmer to provide oxygen
-water should be rodi water
-water change 5%-10% weekly to start
-No Dosing at all

Your tank should have all the above for best chance of success, so honestly fix your tank like above and I'm sure you will see better results very quickly. Don't cut any corners, and don't dose anything until your tank is half full of corals.

I appreciate your comment! I currently have around 50 pounds of rocks in display + sump, 3 powerheads in the tank (one pointed at surface), and my saltwater is mixed with strictly rodi water. I am only dosing mag/calc to keep up with demand when I see them drop below range.