New tank, avoid uglies

[allof fish]

I’m in process of upgrading my tank. My current set up has had a aptasia infestation that unfortunately I’ve let go bc of moving and new tank coming. My full is to avoid the bag uglies as much as possible. Not transferring old rock bc of the infestation. Gonna kill it off and then transfer in a few weeks. I have some new dry rock that I will use and some new sand. Main question is will my biological media that I have, have enough bacteria to support the new system to start without live rock. Won’t be adding any new fish for awhile but want to avoid the bad ugly stages. If I add some old water will that help the system get going. Best way to stabilize it fastest? Will new sand, old bio media and bottle bacteria be enough?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I always cycle my rocks in advance when starting a new project. If you have a few months of time, I cycle the rocks then add a damsel for a couple of months. That way you will have fully live 100% pest free rocks that won't grow algae.

Your biological media will work to a certain degree... a few fish from a nano tank will be fine but if its a large tank with lots of fish I think it would need more than just the media.

 

[allof fish]

I always cycle my rocks in advance when starting a new project. If you have a few months of time, I cycle the rocks then add a damsel for a couple of months. That way you will have fully live 100% pest free rocks that won't grow algae.

Your biological media will work to a certain degree... a few fish from a nano tank will be fine but if its a large tank with lots of fish I think it would need more than just the media.

Unfortunately I only have a few days to get this done. Going from a 75 to a 180. Bio load will be light for the water volume. Only 8 fish mainly smaller ones. If I add enough bottle bacteria how much would that help. Or just I add some live rock? I just really want to avoid the aptasia problems again and I know live rock love carrying them.

 

[exnisstech]

Aiptasia are not part of the uglies which are a natural occurrence. Aiptasia are pests that we introduce one way or another. The only way to avoid them is to not introduce them which can be difficult. I've had them in many tanks so I'm not one to advice how to prevent them. I just wanted to clarify that aiptasia and the uglies are two different things.

 

[fishface NJ]

By bringing anything "wet" from the current system to the new could bring in your pests.

 

[allof fish]

Aiptasia are not part of the uglies which are a natural occurrence. Aiptasia are pests that we introduce one way or another. The only way to avoid them is to not introduce them which can be difficult. I've had them in many tanks so I'm not one to advice how to prevent them. I just wanted to clarify that aiptasia and the uglies are two different things.

Yes I know that. My point is I’m not going to transfer my live rock over and starting with fresh dry rock. If I didn’t have an aptasia problem it would be no issue as my live rock would have plenty of bacteria. The problem is I can’t transfer my live rock over as it will just reintroduce all the aptasia. So I can eliminate the aptasia without moving the rock but also lose all the beneficial bacteria

 

[exnisstech]

Yes I know that. My point is I’m not going to transfer my live rock over and starting with fresh dry rock. If I didn’t have an aptasia problem it would be no issue as my live rock would have plenty of bacteria. The problem is I can’t transfer my live rock over as it will just reintroduce all the aptasia. So I can eliminate the aptasia without moving the rock but also lose all the beneficial bacteria

Sorry the post is titled New Tank, avoid uglies and that is what I replied to when I read and discovered you were talking about pests instead.
If you want to be 100 % sure nothing bad is being introduced you are going to have to sterilize everything wet which will destroy all of your beneficial bacteria. Maybe theres another method but not that I'm aware of. Aiptasia can be controlled with natural predators but not eliminated unless everything is sanitized IME. I've had those nasties survive and come back after sitting in a dark cold brute for months

PS apologies if I'm misunderstanding your question.