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The plan for a re-scaped tank...

Mark_C

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New rocks curing with Microbacter Start XLM boosted by QuikCycl.
I have removed half my ceramic media from the sump to 're-cure' with the new rock.
With each water change over next couple weeks 20% or so of the tank sand will come out as well (there's really not too much sand in the tank, maybe 1").
On transfer day I'll fill 2x 5g buckets with tank water, remove rock, store livestock in buckets, drain rest of water (note I'll leave the water in the sump section as to not dry out the ceramic media in the tank), and clear last of sand.
I'll drop in a custom cut piece of Starboard or such (going barebottom), refill with 15-20g of new water, re-scape with new rock, then add rest of ceramic media back to the tank.
Will re-acclimate livestock by dripping into buckets then topping off tank with remaining bucket water.
First 2 weeks minimal lighting and dosing of Microbacter Clean to build up bacterial concentration.
Gradual return to light settings.

This is my first time using the Microbacter line. Have heard and read a lot of good stuff about it, so figured, 'Why not?'.

I'll drop some pics along the way so you can all see my screw up and lear from them.
 

Jamie S

NJRC Member
I used the microbacter startup kit on the 125 with some ceramic media that I had in the biocube and I’m happy with the way it cycled. Good luck with the setup!
 

Mark_C

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Sand started coming out, got a not unexpected algae outbreak.
Things a mess atm...

image.jpg
 

john90009

NJRC Member
It’s amazing the amount of an impact something as simple as sand can have on an aquarium, not only does it colonies thousands of bacteria on each end, it helps bind up phosphates and nitrates, so removing it once a system has gotten used to the bio load, alters it a lot.
 

DangerDave

NJRC Member
It’s amazing the amount of an impact something as simple as sand can have on an aquarium, not only does it colonies thousands of bacteria on each end, it helps bind up phosphates and nitrates, so removing it once a system has gotten used to the bio load, alters it a lot.

I agree, small changes can have big impacts.
I’m on the other end of spectrum with my sand holding so much. It’s being removed slowly, about half way atm.
 

Mark_C

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Turmoil with sand removal continues, even in smallish increments. Shifted inverts to pest tank while treating main As it’s impacting them.
I have a ton of ceramic media in place, and a bunch more cooking, to replace the sand bed for the transition.
 

Hockeynut

NJRC Member
Turmoil with sand removal continues, even in smallish increments. Shifted inverts to pest tank while treating main As it’s impacting them.
I have a ton of ceramic media in place, and a bunch more cooking, to replace the sand bed for the transition.
Hate to say this Mark but maybe a fresh start is in order.
seems it’s been a while of struggling for you maybe a clean start is what the Dr. orders
 

Mark_C

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Yeah, it looks like its coming down to that. Downsizing from 120 to 30 and trying to keep as much as I could was probably too much of a drain on the system.
I managed to get out the fish and invert overloads, so no losses there, all softies are good, but the hit was hard on the SPS.
 

MadReefer

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Moderator
Sorry to hear. Starting over sucks. I'm still battling since Oct swapping tanks. Think Rob has the best idea. Soft coral and fish, easy maintenance.
 
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