Hey all I have begun planning a rescape of my 34gal redsea. When I got it used it had two massive very dense rocks probably almost 70lbs together and a few smaller carribsea rocks and two Tonga branches. I have a few ongoing issues that are driving me to want to change it up.
1. I'm not happy with the current look.
2. I don't have room to place the corals I have.
3. Battling hair algae from the previous owner.
4. The large rock is basically falling apart every time I touch it. I've even seen my tail spot digging a hole into it 1 mouthful at a time.
With all that in mind Im basically wanting to remove all or most of the rock currently in the tank with a new scape of dry rock that I have. Some corals I'll end up fragging as they are directly attached and my bta will have to move which I've had no success with in the past. It was very small and closed up I couldn't get it to budge. It is much bigger now so hopefully it will be a little easier. I have a few fish and small clean up crew but I'd like to avoid major swings in parameters or recycling.
So what should I do. Build the scape and cure or cycle it ahead of time? I may add a little more sand but should I scrub or wash what I have when I rescape? Sould I empty my DT completely and clean thoroughly to wipe out the hair algae? And start over essentially with my new scape cycled and my filter media in tact? I know these are questions that have a lot variables too. Heck if there is any examples of rebuilds or anything I should read up on let me know.
1. I'm not happy with the current look.
2. I don't have room to place the corals I have.
3. Battling hair algae from the previous owner.
4. The large rock is basically falling apart every time I touch it. I've even seen my tail spot digging a hole into it 1 mouthful at a time.
With all that in mind Im basically wanting to remove all or most of the rock currently in the tank with a new scape of dry rock that I have. Some corals I'll end up fragging as they are directly attached and my bta will have to move which I've had no success with in the past. It was very small and closed up I couldn't get it to budge. It is much bigger now so hopefully it will be a little easier. I have a few fish and small clean up crew but I'd like to avoid major swings in parameters or recycling.
So what should I do. Build the scape and cure or cycle it ahead of time? I may add a little more sand but should I scrub or wash what I have when I rescape? Sould I empty my DT completely and clean thoroughly to wipe out the hair algae? And start over essentially with my new scape cycled and my filter media in tact? I know these are questions that have a lot variables too. Heck if there is any examples of rebuilds or anything I should read up on let me know.