New Saltwater Tank Re-scape Without Disrupting Cycle - Advice Needed

yesterday I purchased a already established saltwater aquarium off of craigslist with 3 fish, 1 frog spawn, crabs, snails, basically the works. It has basically all the equipment you could ever need (at least from my understanding and knowledge as a beginner). I bought it because It was not only a great deal but I felt awful for the livestock in the tank. From the picture the woman posted the tank was completely neglected, I mean algae everywhere and detritus covering the sand. I basically made it my mission to restore this tank. So, since the tank is already established I'm afraid to move it too much since I already put it through a car ride. I set it up in my room but I hate the way the life rock is set up and I am anxious to clean it. But I'm sure the fish are stressed as well as the 1 frog spawn coral. Is there decent way I could re-scape this tank and clean it without harming the livestock? I probably sound like a noob but I am just so new and worried about this reef. Also I am trying to do water changes little by little since they are so used to their current water conditions but if I move it too much and the water becomes dirty will it harm the fish? Although I am just starting out I have done a lot of research and am focused on having this reef looking and feeling great. I can use all the help I can get thank you!

 

I would remove them put them in bags with their old water and put new water in every 15 minutes so they get used to it. Then I would do a 100% water change if it's as bad as you say. Pics please? So far your doing the right thing changing it gradually. But if it's as bad as you say get them out of there!

 

I would remove them put them in bags with their old water and put new water in every 15 minutes so they get used to it. Then I would do a 100% water change if it's as bad as you say. Pics please? So far your doing the right thing changing it gradually. But if it's as bad as you say get them out of there!

Okay so I have checked the salinity of the water its in the right spot and I also tested the nitrates and nitrites and its not at a harmful level so I might have over exaggerated but if I was a fish I still wouldn't want to be in this tank lol but maybe its not as bad in another hobbyists eyes. But from looking at these pictures is there anything you suggest I do?

 

Oh sorry I missed the saltwater part ummm It looks like Greek to me. I can ask stella1979 and Nart

 

Oh sorry I missed the saltwater part ummm It looks like Greek to me. I can ask stella1979 and Nart

lol its ok any help I can get is great

 

HI Congrats! It's a little messy, but in capable hands, this will be a beautiful tank.

I actually quite like the rockscape. There's decent height and nooks and crannies for the fish... and lots of room for coral. If you want it.

The sandbed looks to be a terrible mess though, and I would assume the same as you, that it could be harmful to the fish if it's released into the water column, particularly all at once. I don't actually have experience with this, but it seems like a good way to start slow might be to get an easy to care for sand cleaner, like the tiger conch. Perhaps more than one. Then, I think I might just slowly replace the sand with fresh live sand. You could suck out maybe 20% and replace with new at each weekly water change. Some might mix of course, but this would be a good way to slowly go about cleaning it up. You'd have to keep an eye on the cycle of course, and it would be good to have Prime on hand. I'd imagine that doing a small amount with a water change right after would keep you pretty safe though.

For the rocks, I would leave them in a tank, but give them a good scrub before each water change too. I prefer stiff little grout brushes to using a toothbrush. Also, use a turkey baster to blast them pretty regularly, even between water changes. Your rocks hold the cycle in your tank, so if you must remove them, this also must be done slowly and carefully. When live rock is exposed to air, it begins dying. It's just like letting your biomedia dry out in freshwater. So, perhaps one rock could be removed and cleaned each week, and again, you'd have to watch your cycle.

What's the tank size? What's in the HOB? How about the light? Sorry for all the questions. I'm excited for you! The clown is lovely and looks very healthy.

Oh! Welcome to Fishlore!!! We're glad to have you here.

 

HI Congrats! It's a little messy, but in capable hands, this will be a beautiful tank.

I actually quite like the rockscape. There's decent height and nooks and crannies for the fish... and lots of room for coral. If you want it.

The sandbed looks to be a terrible mess though, and I would assume the same as you, that it could be harmful to the fish if it's released into the water column, particularly all at once. I don't actually have experience with this, but it seems like a good way to start slow might be to get an easy to care for sand cleaner, like the tiger conch. Perhaps more than one. Then, I think I might just slowly replace the sand with fresh live sand. You could suck out maybe 20% and replace with new at each weekly water change. Some might mix of course, but this would be a good way to slowly go about cleaning it up. You'd have to keep an eye on the cycle of course, and it would be good to have Prime on hand. I'd imagine that doing a small amount with a water change right after would keep you pretty safe though.

For the rocks, I would leave them in a tank, but give them a good scrub before each water change too. I prefer stiff little grout brushes to using a toothbrush. Also, use a turkey baster to blast them pretty regularly, even between water changes. Your rocks hold the cycle in your tank, so if you must remove them, this also must be done slowly and carefully. When live rock is exposed to air, it begins dying. It's just like letting your biomedia dry out in freshwater. So, perhaps one rock could be removed and cleaned each week, and again, you'd have to watch your cycle.

What's the tank size? What's in the HOB? How about the light? Sorry for all the questions. I'm excited for you! The clown is lovely and looks very healthy.

Oh! Welcome to Fishlore!!! We're glad to have you here.

well?

The tank size is a 30 gallon long, and both HOB have the clean cartridges that is spefically for the filters, I bought some carbon filter media online for my goldfish tank, do you think that might be beneficial in this tank as well? but as for the light it is a marineland led blue and white light fixture. Yeah, The clown fish seems very happy but the royal gramma in there is still stressed but I read that's normal. So when I do try and pick up the sand with my gravel cleaner, do you suggest I take layer by layer out or do you think I should like take it out in sections? if that makes any sense haha. I am super duper excited about this... I just would feel so guilty if I did any detrimental damage. Oh also there are some crabs in there i'm not sure if they are doing much in terms of the sand bed because it still looks gross. oh, and when I add live sand in how would I go about doing that? I am open to any advice , sorry it took so long to reply I got a bit busy. Thank you so much btw!

 

Instead of removing it completely, do you think it might be a good idea to remove the majority little by little like you said but leave some to keep the cycle stable then place some crushed coral or a larger grain sand on top? I am only nervous to move all of it because the sand bed is kinda deep and seems like its an important source of good bacteria. The reason I was thinking of crushed coral or larger grain sand was so that I could have a higher flow rate for the corals I have in the future.

 

Just a thought, but you might put a couple of conch snails to work on that sand as it would be the lowest risk highest reward scenario. They eat detritus and organisms and can help clean up and keep a sandbed clean. The advantage to this is that they do it in a method that isn't going to stir everything up at once and release all kinds of nasties in your tank in addition to the fact that it would represent virtually no hassle to you.

 

Yeah, perhaps I should have better explained my thoughts. I agree that you should start with a conch or two, as a natural way to clean the sand. Then, see how it goes and if you need to replace sand. If you do, then do it slowly. I think I'd do that in sections if it were me.

I don't know if I'd put anything too coarse as a top layer either. There are likely several critters that you may like that will appreciate being able to move sand. I don't mean super fine... just not super coarse.

I also would see about ditching those filter inserts. It would be much better to keep chunky biomedia in there, as filter padding and sponges hold onto detritus and end up releasing nitrates back into the tank. Mechanical filtration in saltwater should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced very often to avoid this. This is why sponge filters and canisters are not recommended on saltwater tanks.

 

Yeah, perhaps I should have better explained my thoughts. I agree that you should start with a conch or two, as a natural way to clean the sand. Then, see how it goes and if you need to replace sand. If you do, then do it slowly. I think I'd do that in sections if it were me.

I don't know if I'd put anything too coarse as a top layer either. There are likely several critters that you may like that will appreciate being able to move sand. I don't mean super fine... just not super coarse.

I also would see about ditching those filter inserts. It would be much better to keep chunky biomedia in there, as filter padding and sponges hold onto detritus and end up releasing nitrates back into the tank. Mechanical filtration in saltwater should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced very often to avoid this. This is why sponge filters and canisters are not recommended on saltwater tanks.

okie dokie I will look into getting some conch snails, is there any specific biomedia that you like or would suggest? just because there are so many out there. Sorry for all of the questions.

 

There are no stupid questions, and you should never feel sorry for asking. Lots of us would be lost without this place, lol.

I like using Seachem Matrix or MarinePure for biomedia. They do have some special properties, so aren't the cheapest. Your live rock should be holding the bulk of your cycle though, so what's in the HOB is kinda like back up or spare media, and it's not terribly important to have a special type. Your average stuff like Biomax will do just as well as far as the cycle is concerned.

You could also consider turning one of the HOB's into a refugium. A fuge is beneficial to a reef tank because it helps keep nitrates low. It's as simple as putting a plant light over it and keeping chaetomorpha, a type of macroalgae, inside.

 

There are no stupid questions, and you should never feel sorry for asking. Lots of us would be lost without this place, lol.

I like using Seachem Matrix or MarinePure for biomedia. They do have some special properties, so aren't the cheapest. Your live rock should be holding the bulk of your cycle though, so what's in the HOB is kinda like back up or spare media, and it's not terribly important to have a special type. Your average stuff like Biomax will do just as well as far as the cycle is concerned.

You could also consider turning one of the HOB's into a refugium. A fuge is beneficial to a reef tank because it helps keep nitrates low. It's as simple as putting a plant light over it and keeping chaetomorpha, a type of macroalgae, inside.

okay one more question lol, I have a frog spawn coral in the tank and it hasn't opened up do you think that is normal because of the move? or what should I do

 

It very well could be because of the stress of moving. Is the coral in the same place in the tank and under the same light that it was under the previous owner's care? All you can really do is be sure parameters are in line, water is clean, and light is provided.

Have you determined how you'll provide saltwater for the tank's water changes?

 

I have made the saltwater with ro/dI water from my local fish store I and tested it myself . I tried to place the coral in the same spot but its probably not exact, and yes the light is the same.There are a couple of zoanthids and they have opened up, but I know they have different needs. I am keeping my fingers crossed all goes well. stella1979

 

Good job on checking the water. Close enough is good enough for the frogspawn, and I'd imagine it's just angry and will be fine in the long run. Try not to touch it, but be sure it's not receiving very high flow while it adjusts. It's a great sign that your zoas are opening.

 

One thing to note on the frogspawn is that they don't do well in intense lighting and prefer a more moderate/ambient flow. If they are directly in the flow of a powerhead or under intense lighting, they won't be happy.