Rest a running tank?

[ChickReef]

I’d like to know if this is even possible or if I’m going to stir up too much trouble.

I have my 13 gallon nano tank that I started when I first got into the hobby. It’s up and running and doing well. It’s mainly made up of softies that grow quickly, gsp, pom pom, etc. It’s home to two paired clown fish and 2 anemones. Overall, it was a success but I’m itching to change it up. I’m looking to try harder corals. If I was to just throw them into the tank the softies would just take over.

If I wanted to change out all the rocks and have a fresh start, what would be the best way to go about it?

I’ve attached a picture for assistance

 

[stewy14]

I recommend starting a new tank, it will be a little more expensive, because you might need to buy new sand, new rock, new nitrifying bacteria, you are basically just restarting years of progress, what are you going to do with all those coral? Frag those, sell them, setup islands for the softies, then frag rack for the harder corals!

 

[Tamberav]

So hard corals do not like dry rock.. sometimes it takes 12-18 months for them to do well with a dry start.

So that’s not an option.

The LFS rock in dark bins is just dry rock that’s been sitting in water but not long enough and generally not great diversity

So the best option is to get some well established rock out of a reef or display tank or buy ocean live rock, I like KPA but there is also Tampa.

I wouldn’t want to risk harm to the clowns so when the rock arrives from shipping I would put it in a 10g petco tank (sale is going now) with light and flow and a heater for awhile. Make sure no die off or cycle, then I would swap the rocks.

 

[ChickReef]

I recommend starting a new tank, it will be a little more expensive, because you might need to buy new sand, new rock, new nitrifying bacteria, you are basically just restarting years of progress, what are you going to do with all those coral? Frag those, sell them, setup islands for the softies, then frag rack for the harder corals!

So my LFS actually gives me credit for a lot of my corals. I just bring some in. I told them my plan of wanting to switch it up and they were willing to take all the rocks. I want a new tank but space is not something I currently have a lot of.

 

[ChickReef]

So hard corals do not like dry rock.. sometimes it takes 12-18 months for them to do well with a dry start.

So that’s not an option.

The LFS rock in dark bins is just dry rock that’s been sitting in water but not long enough and generally not great diversity

So the best option is to get some well established rock out of a reef or display tank or buy ocean live rock, I like KPA but there is also Tampa.

I wouldn’t want to risk harm to the clowns so when the rock arrives from shipping I would put it in a 10g petco tank (sale is going now) with light and flow and a heater for awhile. Make sure no die off or cycle, then I would swap the rocks.

I’ll definitely look into this. I don’t want my levels to get thrown out of wack so that’s something I am nervous about. Thanks for the Petco sale update. Looking now lol

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I’d like to know if this is even possible or if I’m going to stir up too much trouble.

I have my 13 gallon nano tank that I started when I first got into the hobby. It’s up and running and doing well. It’s mainly made up of softies that grow quickly, gsp, pom pom, etc. It’s home to two paired clown fish and 2 anemones. Overall, it was a success but I’m itching to change it up. I’m looking to try harder corals. If I was to just throw them into the tank the softies would just take over.

If I wanted to change out all the rocks and have a fresh start, what would be the best way to go about it?

I’ve attached a picture for assistance

You could pull a rock and remove the GSP/Clove/xenia - not all at once

Place rock back in tank - away from the others wait a couple weeks and repeat…this way your not killing off all the good bacteria

Once you’ve cleaned off the rock you can start FRESH!

Or order rocks from like KP aquatics…..or find a local who has some rocks that are already cycled….

 

[ChickReef]

You could pull a rock and remove the GSP/Clove/xenia - not all at once

Place rock back in tank - away from the others wait a couple weeks and repeat…this way your not killing off all the good bacteria

Once you’ve cleaned off the rock you can start FRESH!

Or order rocks from like KP aquatics…..or find a local who has some rocks that are already cycled….

This is exactly what I was thinking but I’m worried that the Xenia or GSP will grow on the new rock. It’s crazy how fast they move

 

[Reefing_addiction]

This is exactly what I was thinking but I’m worried that the Xenia or GSP will grow on the new rock. It’s crazy how fast they move

Completely possible….

All the stuff you need to keep the tank happy is in/on your rocks

Keeping those rocks separated would be difficult in a small tank

You could also set up a bucket and start to cycle new rocks now. You could even pull an old rock and clean it off and throw it in with the rocks you want to cycle.

 

[ChickReef]

So when I’m “soaking” or cycling new rock. Do I need to have heat or do I just put it in a 5 gallon bucket with salt water?

I think I’m going to order some rock and do it that way.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

So when I’m “soaking” or cycling new rock. Do I need to have heat or do I just put it in a 5 gallon bucket with salt water?

I think I’m going to order some rock and do it that way.

Think of the holding tank as an aquarium and provide necessary heating, light and filtration to prevent die of of the new live rock as much as possible.

 

[ChickReef]

Think of the holding tank as an aquarium and provide necessary heating, light and filtration to prevent die of of the new live rock as much as possible.

Okay, got it! Should I also be adding live bacteria when I do the rock swap?

 

[Dom]

So my LFS actually gives me credit for a lot of my corals. I just bring some in. I told them my plan of wanting to switch it up and they were willing to take all the rocks. I want a new tank but space is not something I currently have a lot of.

Your tank looks great. I would enjoy it as is. Don't fix something that isn't broken.

As has been previously mentioned, start a second tank.

Also, ask your questions here first so that you know if your LFS is steering you the correct way.

 

[Spare time]

What about swapping the rocks out with something like bommie reef rock?

 

[ChickReef]

I decided a new tank would be best.