Rescaping established tank

Sfplaya1 · Nov 11, 2017

How hard would it be to rescape an established tank? Would I have to empty the whole thing and remove all the sand?

dbl · Nov 11, 2017

Are you reusing the same rock, just rescaping? If so, your biggest challenge will be dealing with encrusted corals. Unless you can remove them, you'll need to take their position in to consideration when rearranging things. If your tank is well established, try to limit disrupting the sand as much as possible. If you have a deep sand bed that's been running for a few years, that may be a different animal.

I rescaped earlier this year in an effort to remove RBTA's on a three year plus old tank. I essentially removed most of the rock and stored temporarily in a large Rubbermaid tub. Obviously disrupted sand a little, but was as carefull as possible with it. Got the nems off and rescaped the tank. I personally didn't have any negative effects.

Sfplaya1 · Nov 11, 2017

dbl said:
Are you reusing the same rock, just rescaping? If so, your biggest challenge will be dealing with encrusted corals. Unless you can remove them, you'll need to take their position in to consideration when rearranging things. If your tank is well established, try to limit disrupting the sand as much as possible. If you have a deep sand bed that's been running for a few years, that may be a different animal.

I rescaped earlier this year in an effort to remove RBTA's on a three year plus old tank. I essentially removed most of the rock and stored temporarily in a large Rubbermaid tub. Obviously disrupted sand a little, but was as carefull as possible with it. Got the nems off and rescaped the tank. I personally didn't have any negative effects.

I have a fowlr atm. I'm looking to add new rocks also. It's been up for 1-2 or so months and I want to redo the scape.

dbl · Nov 11, 2017

Sfplaya1 said:
I have a fowlr atm. I'm looking to add new rocks also. It's been up for 1-2 or so months and I want to redo the scape.

Okay...so a newer tank. How many gallons is the tank? What's the livestock currently in the tank? Is the rock you're wanting/going to add established live rock or is it dry rock? Likely don't have to be concerned with the sand so much assuming the sand was new 1-2 months ago, assuming you're not overloaded fish wise.

Sfplaya1 · Nov 11, 2017

dbl said:
Okay...so a newer tank. How many gallons is the tank? What's the livestock currently in the tank? Is the rock you're wanting/going to add established live rock or is it dry rock? Likely don't have to be concerned with the sand so much assuming the sand was new 1-2 months ago, assuming you're not overloaded fish wise.

108G 1 damsel. 2 clowns a sandsifting star blue stripe slider goby. All very small. Dry rock

Sfplaya1 · Nov 11, 2017

BRS reef saver

dbl · Nov 11, 2017

Sfplaya1 said:
108G 1 damsel. 2 clowns a sandsifting star blue stripe slider goby. All very small. Dry rock

Sfplaya1 said:
BRS reef saver

You'll be fine adding it in my opinion. You could put your new rock in a container of some type with some saltwater, heater if needed, and a powerhead and cure it for a couple weeks if you want to be real safe. But assuming you're not adding a whole bunch, given your situation you'll likely be fine. My $.02 anyway.

Sfplaya1 · Nov 11, 2017

dbl said:
You'll be fine adding it in my opinion. You could put your new rock in a container of some type with some saltwater, heater if needed, and a powerhead and cure it for a couple weeks if you want to be real safe. But assuming you're not adding a whole bunch, given your situation you'll likely be fine. My $.02 anyway.

How many weeks you think?