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Makeshift Aquarium

arvin

arvin

NJRC Member
As I am getting ready to upgrade, I am wondering if it is a good idea to turn the refugium into a temporary hold area for the fish while the tank is replaced. The refugium is a 75 gallon reef ready tank. I am planning to cut it off from the system and run it independently. I will put two Koralia 3s in it for water circulation. There wont be a skimmer attached to it. Is it safe to keep the fish in this tank for four to five days until the new tank is up and running?

Arvind.
 
B

beerfish

What do you have in the refugium? If you have a DSB in there, make sure you're careful about not stirring it up too much. You also stand a chance of some dirty water if this is a smaller tank than they're used to. I'd do a big water change at the beginning of the process to ensure that the water is as clean as possible.

Watch for signs of stress and you should be fine.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
How many and what size fish? What size was their prior home?
 
arvin

arvin

NJRC Member
beerfish said:
What do you have in the refugium? If you have a DSB in there, make sure you're careful about not stirring it up too much. You also stand a chance of some dirty water if this is a smaller tank than they're used to. I'd do a big water change at the beginning of the process to ensure that the water is as clean as possible.

Watch for signs of stress and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

I do have a DSB - pretty big one. Yes, I will probably do a water change first.
 
arvin

arvin

NJRC Member
Phyl said:
How many and what size fish? What size was their prior home?
Click to expand...

There are about six of them. The largest one is about 4-5". The current tank is 72g.
 
B

beerfish

Arvind said:
beerfish said:
What do you have in the refugium? If you have a DSB in there, make sure you're careful about not stirring it up too much. You also stand a chance of some dirty water if this is a smaller tank than they're used to. I'd do a big water change at the beginning of the process to ensure that the water is as clean as possible.

Watch for signs of stress and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

I do have a DSB - pretty big one. Yes, I will probably do a water change first.
Click to expand...

I'd be very careful with that DSB. If it's well established and you drop a powerhead or stir it up too much bad things may happen.
 
arvin

arvin

NJRC Member
beerfish said:
I'd be very careful with that DSB. If it's well established and you drop a powerhead or stir it up too much bad things may happen.
Click to expand...

It is an established DSB. If this is an issue, can I remove the DSB and store it away? In a separate container with a powerhead?
 
B

beerfish

The problem with the DSB is that if it's disturbed (removing it will have the same effect), it will potentially release all of the gunk that's built up in it over the years. This can have a very negative effect on the tank (mayhem really).

If there's any question, I'd either remove it (the DSB) and start a new one, or hold the fish in a different tank.
 
arvin

arvin

NJRC Member
beerfish said:
The problem with the DSB is that if it's disturbed (removing it will have the same effect), it will potentially release all of the gunk that's built up in it over the years. This can have a very negative effect on the tank (mayhem really).

If there's any question, I'd either remove it (the DSB) and start a new one, or hold the fish in a different tank.
Click to expand...

Why is everything is so complicated in this hobby? ???

I do need to remove some of the sand from the fuge, since I am planning to use in my new setup. Is there a safe way to remove the sand?
 
ricwilli

ricwilli

Arvind, the best thing to do is get a cup or two off the top layer of the sand bed. Keep it in DT water. Remove the DSB and clean it really good. Put the sand back when you are ready and spread the sand that you have in the cup on top of the washed/clean sand. Your DSB will be full of life in no time.
 
B

beerfish

ricwilli said:
Arvind, the best thing to do is get a cup or two off the top layer of the sand bed. Keep it in DT water. Remove the DSB and clean it really good. Put the sand back when you are ready and spread the sand that you have in the cup on top of the washed/clean sand. Your DSB will be full of life in no time.
Click to expand...

Agreed... make sure you wash the DSB very well (preferably with RO water) and monitor your levels closely for a few days once you add it back to the system.
 
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