A return, with questions!

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It's been so long since I've been on here! All this time, tiara has been enjoying her algae filled tank. I couldn't do water changes, so to compensate I kept algae all over to keep nitrates down.

Now I wanna do a bit of a reset and kill the algae. The filter will keep its bacteria, dont worry about that. I'm planning to replace the sand, clean off the tank from all algae, and cleanse the rocks. I'm trying to have this clean done within a few hours once I start it, and tiara should be out of her tank for just a few hours. I'm planning to use arag alive special grade or Fiji pink, or maybe even ocean direct sand with a similar grain size. The sand can be cloudy, but the cloudiness cannot affect tiara harmfully. Hopefully a sand that keeps the cycle safe with my fish.

After this, I'll save up my own money and get a simple GSP. It should take off and compete with any new algae, and with the look, my mom will no longer stop me from spending more on the tank!
 

TX_REEF

Kessil Fanboy
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
3,596
Reaction score
4,228
Location
Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
welcome back! Also look into API Algaefix, it won't harm fish or corals. I have used it in the past to get bubble algae under control with no ill effects:


Also let me know if you have any trouble finding GSP, I have plenty in my frag tank and would be happy to send you some for the cost of shipping, or free of charge if for some reason you're able to pick up in Plano, Texas.
 
Upvote 0

JTP424

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
1,176
Reaction score
1,375
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome back! Be sure to rinse your sand before putting it in to help with cloudiness! Sorry I haven't look at your other threads... but do you have any rock in the tank? That has more impact on cycle than your sand.

Agree with @TX_REEF, someone on here will probably give you some haha.
 
Upvote 1
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome back! Be sure to rinse your sand before putting it in to help with cloudiness! Sorry I haven't look at your other threads... but do you have any rock in the tank? That has more impact on cycle than your sand.

Agree with @TX_REEF, someone on here will probably give you some haha.
I have no trouble finding any, but his coral will likely be MUCH better developed for the price vs the other ones.
Sadly my mom would NEVER do that, so I'll stick to my local fish store.
Down below is the tank and all my anti algae stuff.
Keep in mind there are currently NO corals, so as long as it's fish safe and won't linger for too long, it's good.
 

Attachments

  • 17367985663755396715893625953140.jpg
    17367985663755396715893625953140.jpg
    94.7 KB · Views: 43
  • 1736798584352890505614894803629.jpg
    1736798584352890505614894803629.jpg
    108.5 KB · Views: 44
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
welcome back! Also look into API Algaefix, it won't harm fish or corals. I have used it in the past to get bubble algae under control with no ill effects:


Also let me know if you have any trouble finding GSP, I have plenty in my frag tank and would be happy to send you some for the cost of shipping, or free of charge if for some reason you're able to pick up in Plano, Texas.
I have algaefix already! Used it in my freshwater tank while I had it! The issue is there currently is no salt. Is the water change part required or nessacary?
And, can I use all the algae killers or no?
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Btw, I have tested my water quite a few times, and the algae does a great job! Ammonia and nitrite are nowhere to be found, nitrate is usually around 20, and all good!
GSP I know isn't picky, so my hope is that with the semi restart, it can grow and help algae not pop up! Of course, I will have salt and constantly dose anti algae (not my cyano, unless I see any cyano) with water changes to help gsp get a hold before algae can steal it!
 
Upvote 0

TX_REEF

Kessil Fanboy
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
3,596
Reaction score
4,228
Location
Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have algaefix already! Used it in my freshwater tank while I had it! The issue is there currently is no salt. Is the water change part required or nessacary?
And, can I use all the algae killers or no?
I haven't done specific water changes when using it. I haven't researched other algae killing chemicals, so I can't speak for any products other than algaefix.

It's kind of like antibiotics - be sure to follow the instructions and use the proper dose for the proper amount of days, otherwise there's a chance the full effect won't occur.
 
Upvote 1
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
From what I've seen, algaefix does kill algae, but this oftentimes causes oxygen levels to plummet. My surface disturbance is pretty good, but because of this I'll underdose heavily. Just a drop, or less.
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Anyways, any tips for the great reset?
I'll keep a gallon or so of the old water, wash the rocks complety, replace the sand, keep the media, basically just wash EVERYTHING.
After that I'll once again make my aquascape, then I'll fill the tank, let it run for a few hours with tons of bacteria, then put tiara back in. Sounds bad?
 
Upvote 0

Gumbies R Us

Certified Noob
View Badges
Joined
Nov 10, 2022
Messages
16,741
Reaction score
27,600
Location
North Georgia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Honestly if you don’t have anything living in there. I would do a complete restart imo. Take the rock out and give it a good clean (scrub and bleach), same for the tank and just start fresh!
You can also clean everything with citric acid as well!
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Honestly if you don’t have anything living in there. I would do a complete restart imo. Take the rock out and give it a good clean (scrub and bleach), same for the tank and just start fresh!
You can also clean everything with citric acid as well!
I do have a fish. So that's why I'm doing it PARTIALLY. Rock and tank will be cleaned, but keeping media. New sand as well.
 
Upvote 0

Gumbies R Us

Certified Noob
View Badges
Joined
Nov 10, 2022
Messages
16,741
Reaction score
27,600
Location
North Georgia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I do have a fish. So that's why I'm doing it PARTIALLY. Rock and tank will be cleaned, but keeping media. New sand as well.
Oh, ok, I thought it was a complete reset, haha. Good idea on getting new sand!
 
Upvote 0

JTP424

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
1,176
Reaction score
1,375
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Honestly if you don’t have anything living in there. I would do a complete restart imo. Take the rock out and give it a good clean (scrub and bleach), same for the tank and just start fresh!
You can also clean everything with citric acid as well!
Keep us updated! Hope it goes well!
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Here's my plan, across a day or two. Day one I vac the sand, with carbon in the filter, and take out the rocks. Clean them and more. Next day, I move tiara, vacuum out most of the sand, making the water level real low. I make my rockscape and get the new sand in. Then I clean all the stuff, heater and such, with some of the old water to keep it clean and bacteria. Something like that.
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Also, she will be starved a day before and during the process, to minimize bioload during this. Also, I'm thinking that I'm trying to also get a few small gobies, shrimp and the such. They are small fish, so is Carib sea special grade too big for them? Would Fiji pink be better?
Part of the reason I'm replacing my substrate is that it moves a ton even with my low flow, since its oolite.

I'm concerned that since I'm washing my rocks, I will lose tons of bacteria. Is it fine if I keep bacteria on the heater, filter sponge and bio media, or is that too little? Again, I will not add any corals or anything else for a week or so so bacteria can establish, and I won't add any new shrimp or fish for a solid month or more. Just tiara for now.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Daz_1978

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
Messages
170
Reaction score
205
Location
Kenly, North Carolina
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I wouldn't replace all of the sand at once!
I wouldn't replace it with Fiji Pink!

I would pick a corner and remove maybe 25% of the sand and replace that sand only. Wait a month, then repeat. You are taking a LOT of biofilter out at once, if you remove it all. With just one fish, you may be okay though.

I like the look of Fiji Pink, so I used it once... Never again. The grains are too small. You can't use a gravel vac without sucking half of it out of the tank. It'll blow all over the place, sometimes leaving bare holes on the bottom of the tank. And the list goes on...
I would suggest Special Grade for a minimum size.
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I wouldn't replace all of the sand at once!
I wouldn't replace it with Fiji Pink!

I would pick a corner and remove maybe 25% of the sand and replace that sand only. Wait a month, then repeat. You are taking a LOT of biofilter out at once, if you remove it all. With just one fish, you may be okay though.

I like the look of Fiji Pink, so I used it once... Never again. The grains are too small. You can't use a gravel vac without sucking half of it out of the tank. It'll blow all over the place, sometimes leaving bare holes on the bottom of the tank. And the list goes on...
I would suggest Special Grade for a minimum size.
I was using oolite previously.
Special grade would be fine for small gobies, right? Or is it too big?
 
Upvote 0

Daz_1978

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
Messages
170
Reaction score
205
Location
Kenly, North Carolina
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I was using oolite previously.
Special grade would be fine for small gobies, right? Or is it too big?

Oh... Well if you were fine with the Oolite, you'll be fine with Fiji Pink. I really don't like those fine grains, but that's me.
And yeah, Special Grade is still small enough for Gobies.
 
Upvote 0
OP
OP
Unitylover

Unitylover

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 20, 2021
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
704
Location
north babylon
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Oh... Well if you were fine with the Oolite, you'll be fine with Fiji Pink. I really don't like those fine grains, but that's me.
And yeah, Special Grade is still small enough for Gobies.
KK.
I did NOT like the oolite. Sure, it looked great, but my powerhead would over the course of a few days slowly shift it. My siphon also took a small amount every time, but that added up. Special grade seems good though, and if its still small enough for pygmy gobies, Ill get it. Only issue is that its in 20 lb bags only, So ill only be able to use some...
Fiji pink also has a 10lb bag, so ill think about it.
 
Upvote 0

Dom

Full Time Reef Keeper
View Badges
Joined
Apr 29, 2016
Messages
6,817
Reaction score
7,399
Location
NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That tank is too far gone to salvage. I'd start over fresh.
 
Upvote 0

TOP 10 Trending Threads

IS THERE A FISH THAT YOU SWEAR YOU WILL NEVER OWN AGAIN?

  • Yes! I can think of at least one fish that I will never own again.

    Votes: 85 63.0%
  • No. I like all my fish!

    Votes: 36 26.7%
  • Maybe, but I think would give the fish one more chance.

    Votes: 11 8.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 2.2%
Back
Top