Restarting my tank

TryingToLearn · Dec 28, 2015

Ok so i have a 40 gallon breeder that i have made the mistake of neglecting while getting tied up in my 20 gallon nano reef that I've been working on. All that I am stocking this 40 breeder with is two snowflake clowns that i just got in there in hope that they will eventually breed. my tank is nasty looking... sand is covered in different colors of algae and the front glass panel is the onl one that i have cleaned in a couple weeks:/ DUMB of myself i know. and not to mention I started with tap water;/ i am wanting to take it down clean everything, rock and all and set it back up since i just purchased a brs 150 gpd 4 stage water saver plus RO/DI unit. i was wondering if this would throw a big cycle that would affect my new snowflake clowns? all opinions and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 28, 2015

there is no mini cycle. A tank is cycling or it is not. the bock and sand contain bacteria that create the cycle.
whats most call mini cycle is poisonous junk that develops in the sand and gets blown everywhere, it release causes algae blooms etc cuz it algae food.

Deal with your project like a tank transfer and youll be fine. the sand and rock will contain bacteria unless you bleach it. Pull the fish and livestock into holding with old tank water and new salted.
keep as much old clean tank water as you can(dont stir till you get to the bottom,also easy to catch fish in shallow pond).
I dipped/soaked my yucky rock in peroxide and old tank water, w tank water then ro rinse.
Rinse the old sand in old tank water new salt or rodi. (took me 10 gal to rinse) you wont kill the bacteria. not tap(chlorine)

The rock will contain the good bacteria as will the sand also the old tank water. add some prime.
you'll get some new tank stuff probably but reef happens.

the only side effect i noticed was a lower ph. I put a hob fuge on line with outside air bubbler. (furnace is running)

CastAway · Dec 28, 2015

You might just consider syphoning the sand and cleaning the glass, combined with some aggressive water changes rather than start over. I'd think 15g or so even couple weeks would have you back in action sooner.

We'll see what the experts say.

mrsaltwaterguy · Dec 28, 2015

I would also recommend a few large water changes instead of starting over. I made the same mistake when I first started and filled my tank with tap. I just did a few large water changes and the problems started to go away.