New Aquascape

[coopthetitan]

Hello everyone! I started my first tank around 2 and a half years ago and for my hardscape I basically just tossed in some marco rocks with no real thought about flow and coral placement. I now want to change my entire hardscape with a new well thought out custom piece. The only problem is I dont want to crash my tank by taking out my 15 pounds of rock. Is there a way that I can get around this? Maybe by adding some more Bio blocks to the back to keep some of the biological filtration while the new rock gets cycled? Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Do you have sand in the tank? If so that should provide enough of a biological damper to any changes to the tank if you're only removing 15 lbs of rock.

Biological media in the back chambers/sump can help, and bacteria has most likely colonized all of the other surfaces of the tank as well. As long as something isn't actively decomposing you should be good but you should also be prepared to dose some starter bacteria once the new hardscape is in the water.

 

[Privateye]

Can you tell us a little about your setup? How large is the tank? What animals do you keep in it? Do you have a sump? What kind of substrate are you using? Can these rocks be incorporated into the new aquascape, either at the base or off to the side?

If you had a sump this would be easy - just put the rocks in the sump.

 

[coopthetitan]

Can you tell us a little about your setup? How large is the tank? What animals do you keep in it? Do you have a sump? What kind of substrate are you using? Can these rocks be incorporated into the new aquascape, either at the base or off to the side?

If you had a sump this would be easy - just put the rocks in the sump.

Sorry I should have added this in the post. I have a 15 gallon AIO. I have about an inch of sand and also 2 bioblocks in the rear chamber already.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would just cycle the new rocks or aquascape in another tank or bucket or tote, then do a full switch. With your sand and bioblocks I'm not sure you even need to cycle the new rocks in advance, but I feel better about it.

 

[Privateye]

Mojo's thinking in the same direction as I am. Depending on your bioload, you may be okay without the rocks. Or you may not be. Either way I'd measure the ammonia and nitrite for a few weeks after this change. Worst case scenario you do extra water changes until the bacteria establish themselves.

I wouldn't expect a crash, but a spike in ammonia and/or nitrite which you could then address. I'd maybe test these levels after 2 days, then drop back to 2x per week, and then weekly depending on the changes you're seeing.

Or split the difference and keep 1 decent rock in the tank temporarily. You can remove it later.