So I'm starting over from square one

[Scorpius]

My tank is a hot mess and I've decided to start over completely. Turf algae which is impossible to eradicate and bubble algae along with weird coral issues is my main reason. I also plan on rectifying most issues I have with my current setup as this was my first real reef setup.

My plan for the new reef is to have only soft coral and zoanthids. My job consumes a lot of my time and I require a more forgiving tank when I'm working 60+ hr weeks and I have to skimp on some maintenance.

New better designed sump
New lighting-Going back to LED's probably Kessil A360x
Might upgrade to two MP-40's
Might relocate power outside of the sump to its own cabinet.


I plan on bleaching rock I already have that is not currently in the tank and then curing it for twoish months.

I need to sterilize the tank to eradicate the turf algae and my plan was to drain the tank of saltwater, sand, and rock and refill with freshwater and then add bleach. Does anyone have any experience bleaching their tank to kill turf algae and how much bleach did you use.

If you have any tips and tricks for resetting a reef tank please help me out the plan is to do this in October when I'm off for a week so I can do this the right way.

 

[Snookin]

You can use vinegar to soak too which is less harsh than bleach on you and the tank.

 

[Scorpius]

I don't see vinegar killing this stuff. I want to be 100% sure every last holdfast and cell is anillated.

 

[ScottB]

Agree vinegar will do the job fine on the tank.

The turf algae indicates that your rock has loaded up (over time) with phosphates. Bleach is going to kill everything, but won't remove phosphates from your rock. After the bleach (and the declor), drop the rock in a dark tub of SW a strong pump (heat if needed). After a few days, test for phosphates with a Hanna ULR phosphate checker. Then add a GFO reactor so that as the phosphate leaches out into the clean water, it gets bound to the GFO. You will likely need to do some WC on the rock, and need to replace the GFO a few times until the water tests 0 for Phosphates.

Zero phosphates in the tank is not a good level to keep. But get it out of the rock or the turf will come back.

There are other ways to accomplish the same, but this in pretty simple and inexpensive.

 

[Snookin]

I don't see vinegar killing this stuff. I want to be 100% sure every last holdfast and cell is anillated.

Don’t worry. A 24hr vinegar soak will kill organic material. Shorter time would too

 

[motortrendz]

If beaten turf algae with fluconazole. It takes about 4 weeks but it starts turning white at the tips and then starts to dissolve by 6 weeks, it was gone.

 

[hyprc]

Have you tried Vibrant? It took more aggressive than recommended (gradual buildup), but I can't find ANY bubble for the last month and all my b. serrulata has coraline growing on it. Color me amazed. I didn't have a centimeter of rock without bubble 6 months ago... took time but worth it