Changing aquascape

[Reeferman1]

Hey guys just wanted to get some feedback on this. Ever since I set up my tank 2 years ago red sea reefer 170, I've never loved my aquascape I used live rock just stacked up in one pile in the middle of the tank and it is a huge detritus magnet. I recently bought some Marco dry rock and created my own nsa aquascape. When I talked to my lfs about it they suggested I buy some media balls and throw them in my sump for at least 2 weeks before I change out the aqua scape, they told me it's a 50/50 that the tank will be fine or crash just have to go for it. I have had the media balls in my sump growing bacteria for the past two months now. I also have about 3 pieces of live rock from when I first started my tank in my sump. My question is do you think my tank will be fine if I take out all the rock from my display tank and replace it with my new aquascape at once? I plan to keep rock in the sump with the media balls, do you also think I'll be fine with the 3 pieces in the sump, or when I change the aquascape should put more of the rock from the display into the sump with the other rock and media balls for the next couple months-year? I'm expecting some sort of mini cycle again. When I change the rock should I do a big water change in case I get some kind on nutrient spike/ ammonia spike. I don't expect a huge spike because I syphon out the sand in my weekly water change since the tank has been running but I could be wrong. I've been doing some research, and I know people suggest doing half at a time but my aquascape is one piece and is bonded together. Could I get away with moving the rock to the sump or should I just cram as much of the rock currently in my display in the corner for like a month than take it out. I also know people suggest putting it into a brute and cycle it with old tank water with a heater and pump for about a month before going in the tank, but I would like to just throw it into the tank, without having to cycle in a brute if possible. I apricate all feedback/ reconditions if you guys have any thanks.

 

[Elira_6301]

What all is in your tank currently? Corals, fish?

 

[Reeferman1]

What all is in your tank currently? Corals, fish?

3 fish and coral. mainly doing the different rockscape because I'm taking my tank in a different direction maily going for sps/acro because I've been doing good with them recently. also some gonis and zoas. just trying to get the new rocks in before reefapoolza to be all set for some new sps i plan to get. 2 year old tank.

 

[Elira_6301]

I cant give advice and know what Im talking about. Lol. But if it were me, cause Im hasty and Impatient, Id just put my new aquascape in and expect a new cycle..so long as you are testing, you can make the necessary adjustments, water changes, etc. I mean, what else could happen? I have done that with my seahorses...tank cycled with them in it and I did water changes while it was. Right now I have a floor of Diatoms, but Im hoping my chaeto basket and macro algae help with those. I did many water changes and all my parameters have stabilized over the last 2 months.

When my tank was fresh, without knowing anything or even having R2R to guide me, I tossed fish and coral in after 2 weeks. They all did fine. I just kept close eye on the parameters.

Could be terrible advice. Sorry!!

 

[Elira_6301]

Oh, but save all your water. Dont change it out. Thats what I Did when I had to move the seahorses to a bigger tank.