My 75g tank has been pretty self-sustaining for a few years and I haven't done a water change at all for nearly 3 years (could be over, I forget), no vac or anything. Just ATO top-off and dose as needed.
Now recently my PH and Nitrites has spiked (and no idea why, I'm not doing anything different nor added anything; nothing died) and I am covered in green turf algae, and I figured instead of simply relying on chemicals to try to bring the levels down, I'll do a hefty WC. probably close to 50%.
Now considering it's been years since I did a WC on this particular tank.. I am concerned about messing it all up and destroying the tank in the end. I plan on using a shop vac to pull water and clean out the sump and most of its gunk and not even touch the main DT, not even its sand.
Anything I should watch out for or advice? I am probably just being too paranoid- but better to be safe!
Oh, looks like I need more salt. my salt had turned hard as a rock and I don't want to risk using it. Do'h.
Now recently my PH and Nitrites has spiked (and no idea why, I'm not doing anything different nor added anything; nothing died) and I am covered in green turf algae, and I figured instead of simply relying on chemicals to try to bring the levels down, I'll do a hefty WC. probably close to 50%.
Now considering it's been years since I did a WC on this particular tank.. I am concerned about messing it all up and destroying the tank in the end. I plan on using a shop vac to pull water and clean out the sump and most of its gunk and not even touch the main DT, not even its sand.
Anything I should watch out for or advice? I am probably just being too paranoid- but better to be safe!
Oh, looks like I need more salt. my salt had turned hard as a rock and I don't want to risk using it. Do'h.