How to restart after shutdown?

[RocketEngineer]

About a year ago I was getting ready to start my reef. I had the tank filled, sand and rock work in place and had dosed bacteria but nothing else in it. Then my health took a turn and I couldn’t maintain the tank. So I shut everything off and it sat. During that time most of the water evaporated. I’ve since gotten back to the point of filling it over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Other than a water change, should I do anything before I add seeding LR and LS? Was hoping to get some of the Tampa Bay Saltwater Treasure Chests to introduce biodiversity before adding fish. Thoughts?

 

[JTP424]

Welcome back!
Are you saying there is still old water in there? Did you remove the previously placed rock? I.E. is this a dry empty tank?

 

[56longroof]

If it sat full of water for the whole year most definitely tear it down and rinse everything off real good.

 

[Pridedcloth3]

When I had something similar happen I just did filter maintenance and let it run for a week. Unless you're doing the hardcore chemicals around it just a little carbon and should suffice.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Welcome back!
Are you saying there is still old water in there? Did you remove the previously placed rock? I.E. is this a dry empty tank?

Not really, because the water basically all evaporated. The rock and sand weren’t removed and trying to do so would be a challenge I’d rather avoid.

 

[RocketEngineer]

When I had something similar happen I just did filter maintenance and let it run for a week. Unless you're doing the hardcore chemicals around it just a little carbon and should suffice.

No hardcore chemicals as they set off my asthma. I’m running it now to try and circulate what’s in there for removal via ~50% water change. I may do more than one big water change over the holidays since I will have the time.

 

[Fish Fan]

@RocketEngineer I'm trying to understand what your concern is here? Are you worried about outside contaminates getting into your system? On face value, if your water evaporated, fill it up, and you're good to go, but am I missing something?

Did this tank experience anything different in the time it sat than it would have experienced if it was running?

Was hoping to get some of the Tampa Bay Saltwater Treasure Chests to introduce biodiversity before adding fish. Thoughts?

I cannot recommended TBS rock and sand enough! If it was feasible, I'd do 100% for your whole tank, the stuff is just that fantastic (and indeed what I'm doing for my next build). But even just one of their treasure chests to seed your biome would be hugely beneficial, in my humble opinion, and you'll get some macro life too. I ordered a couple treasure chests about 14 months ago to start two small tanks, and I was thrilled with what I received.

Further, the ladies that run the show at TBS are active members here at R2R: (at)LiverockRocks if needed. They are top notch with customer service, very good communicators, so if you have any questions about their product or the process, definitely reach out to them here or via their website.

Last, their Treasure Chests can be shipped directly to your door via UPS, which is nice, but it's pricier than doing the local airport pick up. I did the Air Cargo shipping, picked up at my local airport, and it was really very easy.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[RocketEngineer]

@RocketEngineer I'm trying to understand what your concern is here? Are you worried about outside contaminates getting into your system? On face value, if your water evaporated, fill it up, and you're good to go, but am I missing something?

Did this tank experience anything different in the time it sat than it would have experienced if it was running?


I cannot recommended TBS rock and sand enough! If it was feasible, I'd do 100% for your whole tank, the stuff is just that fantastic (and indeed what I'm doing for my next build). But even just one of their treasure chests to seed your biome would be hugely beneficial, in my humble opinion, and you'll get some macro life too. I ordered a couple treasure chests about 14 months ago to start two small tanks, and I was thrilled with what I received.

Further, the ladies that run the show at TBS are active members here at R2R: (at)LiverockRocks if needed. They are top notch with customer service, very good communicators, so if you have any questions about their product or the process, definitely reach out to them here or via their website.

Last, their Treasure Chests can be shipped directly to your door via UPS, which is nice, but it's pricier than doing the local airport pick up. I did the Air Cargo shipping, picked up at my local airport, and it was really very easy.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

I’m making sure I’m not missing something before order the LR and LS. That’s all. Aside from evaporating down to salt crust everywhere, nothing happened.

I’ve used TBS in the past. The nearest airport they deliver to is over 3 hours away from my house. I would need to take a half day off work to retrieve the shipment. For seeding, I would rather just have it shipped to my door.

 

[Fish Fan]

I’m making sure I’m not missing something before order the LR and LS. That’s all. Aside from evaporating down to salt crust everywhere, nothing happened.

I mean, you know your tank and environment better than any of us. I would think fill it up, and maybe run some carbon while you wait for the TBS rock just to be safe. I definitely wouldn't want anything to happen to that rock.

Is this something were an ICP test may reveal something really "off" in the water?

 

[RocketEngineer]

I mean, you know your tank and environment better than any of us. I would think fill it up, and maybe run some carbon while you wait for the TBS rock just to be safe. I definitely wouldn't want anything to happen to that rock.

Is this something were an ICP test may reveal something really "off" in the water?

I doubt it. The water both that evaporated and that I’ve added back is 5 stage RODI. IO salt. I did add a bacteria additive way back when but I figure that didn’t make it.